CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. - Annual Report: 2014 (Form 10-K)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014
or
[_] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______ to _______
Commission File Number 000-28831
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC.
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
Florida
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84-1047159
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(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
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(I.R.S. Employer No.)
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350 Jim Moran Boulevard, Suite 120
Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(954) 252-3440
(Small business issuer’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
COMMON STOCK, $0.0001 PAR VALUE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes _ No X
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes __ No X
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No _
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes X No _
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting Company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting Company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer [ ]
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Accelerated filer [ ]
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Non-accelerated filer [ ]
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Smaller reporting Company [X]
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell Company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes _ No X
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the average bid and asked price of such common equity as of, March 20, 2015 was approximately $13,995,825.
Number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock, as of March 20, 2015, is 654, 010,532.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item Number
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Description
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Page
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Part I
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Item 1.
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Business
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6 |
Item 1A.
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Risk Factors
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14 |
Item 1B.
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Unresolved Staff Comments
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23 |
Item 2.
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Properties
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23 |
Item 3.
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Legal Proceedings
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23 |
Item 4.
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Mine Safety Disclosures (Not Applicable)
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23 |
Part II
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Item 5.
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Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
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24 |
Item 6.
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Selected Financial Data (Not Applicable)
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24 |
Item 7.
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation
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25 |
Item 7A.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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32 |
Item 8.
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Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
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32 |
Item 9.
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Change in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
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32 |
Item 9A.
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Controls and Procedures
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32 |
Item 9B.
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Other Information
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33 |
Part III
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Item 10.
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Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
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34 |
Item 11.
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Executive Compensation
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42 |
Item 12.
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
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47 |
Item 13.
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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
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49 |
Item 14.
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Principal Accounting Fees and Services
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50 |
Part IV
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Item 15.
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Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
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51 |
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DEFINITIONS:
As used in this Report on Form 10-K, the following terms have the stated meaning or meanings:
(1)
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“Capstone Lighting Technologies, L.L.C.” or “CLTL” is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capstone Companies, Inc.
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(2)
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“Capstone International Hong Kong Ltd” or “CIHK” is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capstone Companies, Inc. and a Hong Kong registered Company.
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(3)
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“Capstone Industries, Inc., a Florida corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of CAPC, may also be referred to as “CAPI.”
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(4)
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“Capstone Companies, Inc.,” a Florida corporation, may also be referred to as “we,” “us” “our,” “Company,” or “CAPC.” Unless the context indicates otherwise, “Company” includes in its meaning all of Capstone Companies, Inc. Subsidiaries.
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(5)
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“China” means Peoples’ Republic of China.
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(6)
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“W” means watts.
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(7)
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References to "33 Act" or "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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(8)
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References to "34 Act" or "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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(9)
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“SEC” or “Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
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(10)
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“Subsidiaries” means Capstone Industries, Inc. (CAPI), Capstone International H.K Ltd., (CIHK), and Capstone Lighting Technologies, Inc. CLTL.
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(11)
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Any reference to fiscal year in this Report means our fiscal year, which is the same as a calendar year basis.
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We may use “FY” to mean “fiscal year” and “Q” to mean fiscal quarter in this Report. Further, “OEM” means “original equipment manufacturer.”
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Report”) contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements” as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995, as amended. Those statements appear in a number of places in this Report and include, without limitation, statements regarding the intent, belief and current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers with respect to: Company’s future business and financial prospects; the Company's policies regarding investments, dispositions, financings, conflicts of interest and other matters; and trends affecting the Company's financial condition or results of operations. Forward looking statements include words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “hope,” “project,” “may” or similar words. Any such forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and involves several risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those results implied in the forward-looking statement as a result of various factors – some factors being beyond the Company’s control or ability to foresee. The accompanying information contained in this Report, including the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition," identifies important factors that could cause such differences. With respect to any such forward-looking statement that includes a statement of its underlying assumptions or bases, the Company cautions that, while it believes such assumptions or bases to be reasonable and has formed them in good faith, assumed facts or bases almost always vary from actual results, and the differences between assumed facts or bases and actual results can be significant or “material” depending on the circumstances. When, in any forward-looking statement, the Company, or its management, expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, that expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and is believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the stated expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. Further, the Company is a "penny stock" and a micro-cap Company with no primary market makers. Such a status makes highly risky any investment in the Company securities. The forward-looking statements in this Report on Form 10-K are made as of the date hereof, and, unless required by law or regulation, we do not assume any obligation to update, amend or clarify them to reflect events, new information or circumstances occurring after the date hereof.
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PART I
Item 1. Business
We are a public holding company organized under the laws of the State of Florida and we design and manufacture through our operating subsidiary a line of specialty power failure lighting solutions and other innovative specialty consumer products for the North American and Latin American retail markets. CIHK was established as part of our efforts to expand our product development, engineering and factory resource capabilities in Hong Kong. Our product line consists of stylish, innovative and easy to use consumer lighting products, including portable book lights, power failure multi-function handheld lights, power failure decorative accent lighting, power failure multi-function nightlight - wall-plates, wireless motion sensor lights and remote control outlets. Our products are sold under CAPI brand name, “Capstone Lighting” as well as being private labeled for our retailer customers as programs require. We seek to deliver strong, consistent business results and superior shareholder returns by providing consumers on a global basis with unique products that make their lives simpler and safer.
We oversee the manufacturing of our products, which are currently all made in China by contract manufacturers, through our three wholly-owned operating subsidiaries: CAPI, CIHK and CLTL
Business Strategy
Our objective is to increase profitability, cash flow and revenues while enhancing our position as a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor through the ongoing development of innovative and technologically advanced ideas and concepts for the LED Home Lighting consumer product categories. We plan to leverage our product successes by expanding our offerings into all categories of the LED Home Lighting segments. We have established the Capstone Lighting brand in the power failure and wireless motion sensor light segments. To successfully enter into the expanded new Home LED segments, we determined a highly recognized national brand would be advantageous. With this strategy in place, in early 2014 the Company initiated a search for a brand name and marketing campaign that would resonate with consumers. The brand had to have a rich heritage, trusted by American homeowners for high performance, quality and innovative products. With the brand name and marketing campaign finalized, the Company commenced an effort to expand its product lines in preparation for a LED Home brand introduction at the Hardware Show in May 2015.
Our investment in AC Kinetic Technologies, an Armonk, New York technology development company, in 2013 has allowed us to develop certain innovative concepts that the Company has conceived that are complex and that will hopefully yield intellectual property which will further the Company’s products from other off-the-shelf products commonly marketed at retail. The Company plans to exploit the trade secret technologies developed by AC Kinetic Technologies within its own products both labeled under Capstone and under the new to be announced brand. The first of these products will be introduced to the market in second fiscal quarter of 2015 at the International Hardware Show.
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We have extensive experience in introducing new products to retail market channels and believe that provides us a competitive edge. In our early development, we sought to find niche product opportunities that may have been overlooked or underexploited by competitors, in order to win a profitable niche of the market share with minimal cost of entry. In 2015, the Company plans its largest launch of new products that is expected to greatly expand the Company’s distribution beyond its current product placements. The new products will not only introduce additional functionality to existing categories of products that are meaningful to consumers but will also revitalize categories that have grown stale due to minimal investment and creativity by competitors. The Company’s desired product(s) characteristics are as follows:
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Designed to make everyday tasks or usage simpler and more enjoyable for consumers;
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While continuing to focus on increased profit margins, the products must be affordable to win at the point of sale and deliver increased revenues for retail partners;
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The products must represent significant value when compared with items produced or marketed by competitive consumer product companies; and
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Wherever feasible, the products must be unique to the market whether this be accomplished though design techniques, added functionality or some proprietary innovation.
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Due to the extensive, modern manufacturing, design and engineering capabilities in China, and the lower labor costs in China, we believe that it is more economical and efficient to continue to manufacture certain products in China and have them shipped to the United States rather than to have such products produced in North America. While this resource is available to and used by large numbers of U.S. companies, including our competitors, we believe this Chinese manufacturing resource gives us the level of production cost and quality that allows us to be competitive with larger competitors in the United States. However, as design technologies can influence the degree of hand labor in building its future products, the Company expects the advantages it has realized by manufacturing solely in China to be challenged. In these cases, the Company will evaluate production opportunities in the United States.
The Company has begun to utilize U.S. based industrial design support to augment the CIHK’s Hong Kong based team, and to isolate and protect some of the Company's latest intellectual property or “IP” which will find its way into specific products planned for third and fourth quarters of 2015.
The Company has expanded CIHK’s operations in Hong Kong, with additional personnel experienced in Engineering and Design, Product Development, International Logistics and Quality Control. These associates work with our OEM Chinese factories to develop and prototype new product concepts and to ensure products meet Consumer Product Regulations and rigorous Quality Control standards. All products are tested before and during production by Company personnel. This team also provides extensive, product development, quality control and logistics support to our factory partners to ensure on time shipments. The Company initiated its expansion in Hong Kong in 2013 as product line extensions and increased number of factories utilized became factors. In anticipation of the company’s expected growth, we have continued our investment to ensure overseas factory performance meets stringent tolerances which maintain our competitiveness and operational excellence
We believe that we can expand our international sales primarily by leveraging our relationships with our existing global retailers and by strengthening our international network. With our Hong Kong office in place, they will assist us in placing more products into foreign channels. Our initial expansion goal is to establish product sales and presence in China and Taiwan. Based on the results of these efforts, we may seek to establish product sales and presence in Japan, South Korea and Australia.
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Products and Customers
The Company has earned the recognition associated with being an innovative company as evidenced by the Company being invited to more retail buying reviews than earlier years when we were more focused on proving our ability to perform in the big box retail environment while supplying a short line of products. We are now determined to expand our product positioning through the introduction of many more indoor and new outdoor lighting programs both under the Capstone brand and any new licensed brand. We will also be adding hardwired solid state products to our programs in addition to the existing battery and induction powered product lines.
In 2014 we launched new products that were, based on our expectations, well received by retailers. A new wireless remote control outlet and expansion of the wireless motion sensor light program was part of the new products.
Since inception, we have focused on establishing and growing relationships with numerous leading international, national and regional retailers including but not limited to: Costco, Home Depot, Lowes, Office Depot, Sam’s Club, Target, The Container Store, True Value, Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire. These distribution channels may sell our products through the Internet as well as through retail storefronts and catalogs/mail order. Our goal is to establish a regular purchasing program with such retailers in order to avoid seasonal fluctuations in product orders and revenues.
Our experience in management, operations, and the export business has enabled us to develop the scale, manufacturing efficiencies and design expertise that serves as the foundation for us to aggressively pursue niche product opportunities in our largest consumer markets and growing international market opportunities. While we have traditionally generated the majority of our sales in the domestic U.S. market, urbanization, rising family incomes and increased living standards abroad have spurred perceived demand for small consumer appliances internationally. In order to capture this market opportunity, we introduced the Capstone Industries brands to markets outside the U.S. including Central and South America, Mexico, Taiwan, Korea, Australia, Japan and Canada. We anticipate further expansion into the United Kingdom and Europe as well as other markets where our U.S. customers have strong global initiatives. Due to the rate of natural and man-made occurrences resulting in loss of electricity worldwide, we are optimistic about the potential growth rate in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 for our power failure lighting programs (assuming sufficient marketing support and response of competition in key distribution channels).
We believe CAPC is well positioned to become a leading manufacturer in the rapidly growing LED home lighting and security lighting segments and will continue to be a leader of power-failure lighting solutions for consumers in our channels. We believe we will maintain our revenue growth because of our ability to deliver products on time, the quality reputation of our products, our business relationships with our retailers and our aggressive product expansion strategies currently in place. Such continued progress depends on a number of assumptions and factors, including ones mentioned in “Risk Factors” below.
With our new branded lighting categories, Capstone will have a comprehensive product offering for our niche in the industry. We believe that we will provide retailers with a broad and diversified portfolio of consumer products across numerous product categories, which will add diversity to our revenues and cash flows. Within these categories, we will service the needs of a wide range of consumers by providing products to satisfy their different interests, preferences and budgets.
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We believe our ability to serve retailers with a broad array of branded products and introduce new products will continue to allow us to further penetrate our existing customer bases, while also attracting new customers.
Sales and Marketing
CAPC’s products are marketed primarily through a direct independent sales force, distributors and wholesalers. The sales force markets our products through numerous retail locations worldwide, including mass merchandisers, warehouse clubs, food, drug and convenience stores, department stores and hardware centers. We actively promote our products to retailers and distributors at North American trade shows, but rely on the retail sales channels to advertise our products directly to the end consumer. Domestically and internationally, the sales teams market our full portfolio of product offerings. All sales activities at major account levels involved direct company executive staff participation. The Company will also be targeting direct to retail clients through its CIHK’s staff for products that fall outside Capstone’s branded categories but are innovative and preferably exclusive to CIHK. This should allow for quicker revenue expansion as time consuming product and brand development efforts are the responsibility of the retailer.
Competitive Strengths
We believe that the following competitive strengths have and will continue to serve as a foundation for our business strategy:
In North America, we believe we are a leader in several categories, including power failure lights.
We believe that the specialized nature of our existing niche categories, and the market share that it has provided us will allow us to introduce and launch our new expanded LED Home Lighting programs.
We believe our licensed brand is a widely recognized domestic Brand and is a household name that will translate into the innovative new LED products. Overall, we believe this strong brand recognition and consumer awareness, coupled with the quality of our products, will help promote significant customer loyalty for the innovative LED products that we will be launching. We will be providing retailers with a broad and diversified portfolio of consumer LED products across numerous product categories, which will add diversity to our revenues and cash flows. Within these categories, we service the needs of a wide range of consumers by providing products to satisfy their different interests, preferences and budgets.
Working Capital Requirements
The Company’s has reaffirmed its strategic decision to extend its business model to expand distribution, so that products could now be offered from our Los Angeles warehouse for U.S. domestic shipments, to such noted retailers as Home Depot, Target, Office Depot, True Value and Wal-Mart for non-seasonal periods. This enables retailers to stock our products daily and replenish inventory based on rates of sale in their stores. To support further expansion into direct to store and direct to consumer distribution channels, the Company has transferred its domestic warehousing requirements to a logistics partner based in Anaheim, California that provides omni-channel distribution services using the latest EDI (electronic data interchange) technology software.
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With any new license and the major expansion of product offerings, in order to fund these programs, the Company will require additional working capital to fund the cost of new product molds, product testing and certifications, package design work, expansion of the sales support team in the U.S. and further expansion of the design and engineering capabilities in our Hong Kong office. The new programs will also require a larger amount of inventory particularly at key selling periods and therefore will also require additional funding needs as we ship orders based on retailer weekly or on demand replenishment.
Various funding options are being considered at this time, but certain members of Company management have indicated a willingness to supplement the cash flow needs as required. Access to affordable, timely funding could be critical to our ability to compete and expand our market share. Our liquidity and cash requirements are discussed more fully in Part II, Item 6, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Operations below.
Competitive Conditions
The consumer products and small electronics businesses are highly competitive, both in the United States and on a global basis, as large manufacturers with global operations compete for consumer acceptance and, increasingly, limited retail shelf space. Competition is influenced by brand perceptions, product performance and value perception, customer service and price. Our principal lighting competitors in the U.S. are Jasco, Energizer and Sylvania. We believe private-label sales by large retailers has some impact on the market in some parts of the world as many national retailers such as Target, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Costco offer lighting as part of their private branded product lines. Many of competitors have substantially greater resources and capabilities, including greater brand recognition, research and development budgets and broader geographical market reach.
With trends and technology continually changing, CAPC will continue to endeavor to invest and rapidly develop new products that are competitively priced with consumer centric features and benefits easily articulated to influence point of sale decision making. Success in the markets we serve depends upon product innovation, pricing, retailer support, responsiveness, and cost management. We continue to invest in developing the technologies and design critical to competing in our markets as evidenced by our recent investment in AC Kinetic Technologies.
Raw Materials
The principal raw materials used by the Company are sourced in China, as we manufacture our products exclusively through contract manufacturers in the region. Raw materials used in manufacturing, include plastic resin, copper, led bulbs, batteries, and corrugated paper. Although prices of materials have fluctuated over time, CAPC believes that adequate supplies of raw materials required for its operations are available at the present time. CAPC, of course, cannot predict the future availability or prices of such materials. These raw materials are generally available from a number of different sources, and the prices of those raw materials are susceptible to currency fluctuations and price fluctuations due to transportation, government regulations, price controls, economic climate, or other unforeseen circumstances. In the past, CAPC has not experienced any significant interruption in availability of raw materials. We believe we have extensive experience in manufacturing and have taken positions to assure supply and to protect margins on anticipated sales volume. Our Hong Kong office is responsible for developing and sourcing finished products from Asia in order to grow and diversify our product portfolio. Quality testing for these products is performed both by our Hong Kong office and by our globally recognized third party quality testing laboratories.
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Section 1502 of Title XV of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act requires SEC-reporting companies to disclose annually whether any conflict minerals that are necessary to the functionality or production of a product. Based on our inquiries to our manufacturers, we do not believe as of the date of such inquiries that any conflict minerals are used in making our products.
Seasonality
Sales for household products and electronics are seasonally influenced, with increased purchases by consumers during the key holiday winter season of the fourth fiscal quarter which requires increases in retailer inventories during the third fiscal quarter. In addition, natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes can create conditions that drive increased needs for portable power and spike power failure light sales. Many retailers now recognize a storm preparedness period and the Company believes that it is well positioned to gain market share in these sales periods. The Company’s "Power Failure Solutions” products supports this growing awareness.
As the LED Home Lighting category is a growth category, with retailers allocating more everyday shelf space to the categories, the products offered are required for consumer’s everyday use, so the new products being launched would not be considered as seasonal items per se, although it is expected that there will also be higher sales performances in holiday periods. It is planned that with these new LED offers our revenue performance will not be as influenced by seasonal factors and will provide a more balanced revenue stream during the year once programs are executed fully at retail.
Intellectual Property
CAPC subsidiary, CAPI owns a number of U.S. trademarks and patents, which CAPC considers of substantial importance and which are used individually or in conjunction with other CAPC trademarks and patents. These include the following trademarks: Timely Reader, Pathway Lights, Timely Reader Booklights with Timer and Auto Shut Off and 10 LED - Eco-i-Lite Power Failure Light, 5 LED - Eco-i-Lite Power Failure Light, 3 LED - Eco-i-Lite Power Failure Light,3 LED Slim line Eco-i-Lite Power Failure Light, LED Induction Charged Headlight. CAPC periodically prepares patent and trademark applications for filing in the United States and China. CAPC will also pursue foreign patent protection in foreign countries if deemed necessary. CAPC’s ability to compete effectively in the power failure, portable lighting and LED Home Lighting categories depends, in part, on its ability to maintain the proprietary nature of its technology and manufacturing processes through a combination of patent and trade secret protection, non-disclosure agreements, licensing, and cross-licensing agreements. CAPC owns a number of patents, trademarks and trademark and patent applications and other technology which CAPC believes are significant to its business. These relate primarily to lighting device improvements and manufacturing processes.
We rely on trademark, trade secret, patent and copyright laws to protect our intellectual property rights. We cannot be sure that these intellectual property rights will be effectively utilized or, if necessary, successfully asserted. There is a risk that we will not be able to obtain and perfect our own intellectual property rights, or, where appropriate, license from others for intellectual property rights necessary to support new product introductions. There can be no assurance that we can acquire licenses under patents belonging to others for technology potentially useful or necessary to us and there can be no assurance that such licenses will be available to us, if at all, on terms acceptable to us. Moreover, there can be no assurance that any patent issued to or licensed by us will not be infringed or circumvented by others, or will not be successfully challenged by others in lawsuits. We do not have a reserve for litigation costs.
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Distribution and Fulfillment
In January 2015, the company transferred its US domestic warehousing and distribution needs to a new third party warehousing facility situated in Anaheim, California. Our new warehouse distributor provides full packaging and logistics services including direct to store and direct to consumer capabilities that electronically interfaces to our existing operations software. The Company provides full ERP (enterprise resource planning), Inventory Control and Warehouse Management Systems. These fulfillment services can be expanded to the East Coast in Charleston, South Carolina, if we need to establish an East Coast Distribution point. This relationship will provide a major expansion of our U.S. distribution capabilities.
Research, Product Development, and Manufacturing Activities
Our research and development department based in Hong Kong designs and engineers many of our products, with collaboration from our third party manufacturing partners. They also establish strict engineering specifications and product testing protocols for our factories and ensure the factories adhere to all Chinese Labor and Social Compliance Laws. Under the current political regime in China, sudden and unexpected changes in such laws are possible.
With outsourced production, our research and development team ensures our proprietary manufacturing expertise, by maintaining control over all critical production molds. In order to ensure the quality and consistency of our products manufactured in Asia, we also employ quality control inspectors who on-site examine and test products to our specification before shipments are approved.
Our Hong Kong office capabilities have now been expanded to include product development, project management, sourcing management, supply chain logistics factory compliance auditing and quality enforcement for all supplier factories based in Hong Kong and mainland China.
We will continue to invest heavily in this area. These costs are expensed when incurred and are included in the operating expenses. Research and product development costs amounted to $374,245 in 2014, $225,754 in 2013, $227,087 in 2012, $197,290 in 2011.
Employees
We employed 9 employees as of December 31, 2014 in our U.S. office and 7 employees in our Hong Kong operation. We consider our relations with our employees to be good with none of our employees being subject to collective bargaining agreements.
Prior History
We were incorporated on September 18, 1986 as a Delaware corporation. Our initial public offering under the Securities Act was conducted in 1987. We started as a blank check company. From 1986 until the 2006 acquisition of CAPI, we experienced several changes in management, corporate name and primary business lines as well as reincorporation from Delaware to Colorado and then from Colorado to Florida in 2004. We have had a stable management and business line since the acquisition of CAPI in 2006.
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Acquisition of CAPI: on September 15, 2006, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with CAPI and Stewart Wallach, the sole shareholder, a director and a senior executive officer of CAPI. Under the Stock Purchase Agreement, we acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of CAPI Common Stock in exchange for $750,000 in cash (funded by the previously reported credit line provided by certain directors of CAPC) and $1.25 million in Series B Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, which Series B Stock is convertible into 15.625 million “restricted” shares of our Common Stock, $0.0001 par value (“Common Stock”). On July 9, 2009, the outstanding Series B Preferred Shares were converted to Series B-1 Preferred Shares. The series B-1 shares are convertible into common stock; at a rate of 66.66 of common shares for each share of series “B-1” On December 17, 2009, the outstanding Series B-1 shares were converted into common stock.
Available Information
We file our financial information and other materials electronically with the SEC. These materials can be accessed electronically via the Internet at www.sec.gov. Such materials and other information about the Company are also available through our website at www.capstonecompaniesinc.com.
Government Regulation
CAPC's operations are subject to regulation by federal and state securities authorities as well as various federal, state, foreign and local laws and regulations governing a consumer products company and a for-profit business. We are not subject to any U.S. federal, state or local regulation that poses, in our opinion, any special or unusual burden or obstacle to conducting our business and financial affairs. Our main concern in terms of government regulation is the changing regulatory environment in China and its impact on our ability to access our consumer product manufacturing sources and obtain our consumer products. While the general trend in China has to be conducive to trade and commerce, China is a still a single-party nation-state in which the central government has the power to dramatically and immediately change its trade and commercial policies and laws. Political or military conflict between the United States and China, who are rivals for power and influence in Asia and to an increasing extent all along the Pacific Rim as well as being diametrically opposed to one another over the status of Taiwan, could provoke a change in Chinese trade or commercial law that makes it more difficult or expensive for us to obtain consumer products. Such a development would have a serious impact on our ability to compete in the United States in the niche consumer product market.
Note Payable – Sterling National Bank
On September 8, 2010, in order to fund increasing Accounts Receivables and support working capital needs, CAPI secured a Financing Agreement from Sterling Capital Funding (now called Sterling National Bank)(“Sterling”), located in New York, whereby CAPI receives funds for assigned retailer shipments. The assignments provide funding for an amount up to 85% of net invoices submitted. There will be a base management fee equal to .45% of the gross invoice amount. The interest rate of the loan advance is ¼% above Sterling National Bank Base Rate, which at the time of closing was 5%. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the balance due to Sterling was $286,943 and $4,237,144 respectively
In July, 2011, Stewart Wallach, the Chief Executive Officer and Director of CAPC and JWTR Holdings, L.L.C. owned by a CAPC director, Jeffrey Postal, entered into a Securities and Notes Payable Agreement with Howard Ullman, the previous Chairman of the Board of CAPC, whereby they would purchase equally all of Howard Ullmans notes including the notes subordinated to Sterling National Bank.
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On July 12, 2011, Stewart Wallach agreed to be the sole personal guarantor to Sterling for all of Capstone Industries, Inc. loans.
Effective July 12, 2011, Capstone Industries, Inc., credit line with Sterling was increased from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000 to provide additional funding for increased revenue growth.
Effective October 1, 2011, Sterling Capital Funding conducted business as the Factoring and Trade Division of Sterling National Bank. All obligations under our agreements have been assigned to Sterling National Bank.
Effective December 2, 2013, Capstone Industries, Inc., credit line with Sterling was further increased from $4,000,000 up to $6,000,000 to provide additional funding for increased revenue during the fourth quarter. The credit line reverted back to $4,000,000 on February 28th, 2014. On July 1st 2014, this line was further increased up to $7,000,000 to support increased fourth quarter revenue. As of December 31, 2014, the maximum amount that can be borrowed under on this credit line was $7,000,000.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
In addition to other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the following risk factors should be carefully considered in evaluating our business, because such factors may have a significant impact on our business, operating results, liquidity and financial condition. As a result of the risk factors set forth below, actual results could differ materially from those mentioned in any forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently consider to be immaterial, may also impact our business, operating results, liquidity and financial condition. If any of the following risks occur, our business, operating results, liquidity and financial condition, and the price of our common stock, could be materially adversely affected. As a “penny stock,” any investment in our Common Stock is highly risky and should only be considered by investors who can afford to lose their entire investment and do not require immediate liquidity.
CAPC faces risks associated with global economic conditions.
In general, CAPC’s financial results can be significantly affected by negative economic conditions, inflationary or deflationary pressures, high labor or material costs, and unforeseen changes in consumer demand or buying patterns. These general risks were heightened recently as economic conditions globally deteriorated significantly and the recovery in most developed markets remains sluggish. Such economic conditions could have potentially significant impacts on employment levels and consumer demand in many countries where CAPC markets its products, with a direct impact on our sales, profitability and our ability to generate sufficient internal cash flows or access credit at reasonable rates in order to meet future operating expenses, fund capital expenditures or repay debt as it becomes due.
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The recent economic conditions affecting traditional brick and mortar retailers caused a number of our retailer customers to reduce their inventories and more critically analyze their inventory management and product offerings, including possibly shifting purchasing patterns to lower-cost options. Consumer online shopping has increased significantly and is anticipated to continue to rise. Similar retailer customer activity could negatively impact CAPC’s operating results. In addition, declining financial performance by certain of our retailer customers could impact their ability to pay us on a timely basis, or at all. Increasing retailer customer concentration on a global scale could result in reduced sales outlets for our products, greater negotiating pressures on CAPC, and global pricing requirements across markets. CAPC is reviewing a more aggressive e-commerce program for its products.
Future unfavorable economic conditions may impact CAPC’s earnings performance and our opportunities to reduce discretionary spending may be limited. Any reductions in discretionary spending may have a greater than anticipated negative impact on future sales or brand equity.
CAPC success depends largely on the continued service and availability of key personnel.
Much of CAPC’s future success depends on the continued availability and service of key personnel, including its Chief Executive Officer, executive team and other highly skilled employees. We do not have key man insurance.
CAPC’s inadequate or expensive funding and financing alternatives
CAPC’s current short term debt level as of December 31, 2014, was approximately $2,223,622 as compared to $7,457,218 as of December 31, 2013. Our current debt structure consists of private placement note agreements from insiders to fund investment, operations and extraordinary transactions and Sterling National Bank funding. Future declines in our operating cash flows or earnings performance, foreign currency movements, or other unanticipated events, could negatively impact our ability to reduce outstanding debt as planned, and could hinder our ability to remain in compliance with our current debt covenants. If we have a shortfall in revenues without a corresponding reduction to its expenses, operating results may suffer. We rely on and we may be unable to raise adequate funding or financing to survive unexpected revenue shortfalls, or to reduce operating expenses quickly enough to offset any such unexpected revenue shortfall from our lack of traditional bank financing. If we are not able to access debt capital markets at competitive rates or terms and conditions, our ability to implement our business plan and strategy will be negatively affected. Limited access to sufficient bank financing, could force us to seek expensive financing or funding, or forms of financing that require issuance of our securities (such as equity credit lines or PIPE financing). Such financing would dilute the position of existing shareholders and put negative pressure on the market price of the our Common Stock while possibly failing to provide adequate and ongoing working capital for the Company and its operations.
Other adverse consequences could include:
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a significant portion of CAPC’s cash from operations could be dedicated to the payment of interest and principal on our debt, which could reduce the funds available for operations;
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the level of our debt could leave CAPC vulnerable in a period of significant economic downturn;
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CAPC may not be financially able to withstand significant and sustained competitive pressures.
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If CAPC cannot continue to develop new products in a timely manner, and at favorable margins, it may not be able to compete effectively.
The power failure and portable lighting products industries have been notable for the pace of innovations in product life, product design and applied technology. CAPC and our competitors have made, and continue to make, investments in research and development with the goal of further innovation. The successful development and introduction of new products and line extensions face the uncertainty of retail and consumer acceptance and reaction from competitors, as well as the possibility of cannibalization of sales of our existing products. In addition, our ability to create new products and line extensions and to sustain existing products is affected by whether we can:
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develop and fund research and technological innovations,
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receive and maintain necessary intellectual property protections,
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obtain governmental approvals and registrations,
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comply with governmental regulations, and
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anticipate consumer needs and preferences successfully.
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The failure to develop and launch successful new products could hinder the growth of our businesses and any delay in the development or launch of a new product could also compromise our competitive position. If competitors introduce new or enhanced products that significantly outperform CAPC’s, or if they develop or apply manufacturing technology which permits them to manufacture at a significantly lower cost relative to ours, we may be unable to compete successfully in the market segments affected by these changes.
Competition in CAPC’s industries may hinder our ability to execute our business strategy, achieve profitability, or maintain relationships with existing customers.
The industries, in which CAPC operates, including portable lighting products and power failure lighting, are highly competitive, both in the United States and on a global basis, as a limited number of large manufacturers often compete for consumer acceptance and limited retail shelf space.
As product placement, facings and shelf-space are at the sole discretion of our retailer customers, and often impacted by competitive activity, the visibility and availability of our full portfolio of products can be limited. Our retailer customers have increasingly sought to obtain pricing concessions or better trade terms, and because of the highly competitive environment in which we operate as well as increasing retailer concentration, their efforts can be successful, resulting in either reduction of our margins, or our relative disadvantage to lower cost competitors. Competitors may also be able to obtain exclusive distribution at particular retailers, or favorable in-store placement, resulting in a negative impact on our sales.
Competition is based upon brand perceptions, product performance and innovation, customer service and price. CAPC’s ability to compete effectively may be affected by a number of factors:
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CAPC’s primary competitors have substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources and greater market share in certain segments than CAPC does, as well as significant scale and negotiating leverage with retailers;
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CAPC’s competitors may have lower production, sales and distribution costs, and higher profit margins, than CAPC, which may enable them to compete more aggressively in offering retail discounts and other promotional incentives;
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loss of key retailer customers to competitors may erode CAPC’s market share; and
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the level and nature of advertising and promotional spending by CAPC could impact consumer demand, retailer decisions regarding our product offerings, limit our access to shelf space, and hinder our ability to expand distribution to new retailer customers.
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The success of our products can suffer if our marketing plans or new product offerings do not have the desired impact on our brand’s image or ability to attract consumers. Further our operating results could be adversely affected if one of our leading products suffers damage to its reputation due to real or perceived quality issues.
Changes in foreign, cultural, political and financial market conditions could impair CAPC’s international manufacturing operations and financial performance.
CAPC’s manufacturing is currently conducted in China. Consequently, CAPC is subject to a number of significant risks associated with manufacturing business in China, including:
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the possibility of expropriation, confiscatory taxation or price controls
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adverse changes in local investment or exchange control regulations;
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political or economic instability, government nationalization of business or industries, government corruption, and civil unrest;
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legal and regulatory constraints;
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tariffs and other trade barriers; and
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difficulty in enforcing contractual and intellectual property rights.
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Currency fluctuations may significantly increase CAPC’s expenses and affect the results of operations, especially where the currency is subject to intense political and other outside pressure.
All of CAPC’s sales in 2014 were transacted in U.S. dollars, and the weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies can negatively impact our operating profits, through higher unit costs. However, as the company volumes continue to increase the leveraged buying power has enabled the Company to minimize the impact on costs. The recent economic crises revealed that exchange rates can be highly volatile. Changes in currency exchange rates may also affect the relative prices at which CAPC and our competitors sell products in the same market. There can be no assurance that the U.S. dollar foreign exchange rates will be stable in the future or that fluctuations in such rates will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
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Changes in raw material costs or disruptions in the supply of raw materials could erode CAPC’s profit margins and negatively impact manufacturing output and operating results.
Pricing and availability of raw materials for use in our businesses can be volatile due to numerous factors beyond our control, including general, domestic and international economic conditions, labor costs, production levels, competition, consumer demand, import duties and tariffs and currency exchange rates. This volatility can significantly affect the availability and cost of raw materials for us, and may, therefore, have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In the past, substantial increases in the cost of a number of raw materials have been partially offset by price increases. However, there is no certainty that CAPC will be able to offset future increases in raw material prices, especially given the competitive environment. In addition, the supply of certain raw materials can be significantly disrupted by labor activity, political conflict, and disruptions to sourcing or transportation activities, which could impact our manufacturing output.
Loss of any of our principal customers could significantly decrease our sales and profitability.
The Company supplies product to the most recognized big box retailers across America and the highest concentration of its business in 2014 was in the flourishing warehouse club channel. The Company’s sales are made pursuant to purchase orders and we do not have supply agreements or guarantees of minimum purchases from them. As a result, these customers may cancel their purchase orders or reschedule or decrease their level of purchases from us at any time. The loss or a substantial decrease in the volume of purchases by any of the Company’s top customers would harm its sales and profitability.
CAPC’s businesses are subject to regulation in the U.S. and abroad.
The manufacture, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, advertising and sale of our products are subject to extensive regulation in the U.S. and abroad. This regulation includes, but is not limited to, the following:
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in the U.S., claims and advertising with respect to our products are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission;
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our operations are subject to taxation by federal, state, local and foreign taxing authorities;
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in foreign countries where we manufacture or sell our products, we are subject to similar regulation, and in the U.S. by state and local authorities; and
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our selling practices are regulated by competition and anti-trust authorities in the U.S. and abroad.
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A finding that we are in violation of, or not in compliance with, applicable laws or regulations could subject us to civil remedies, including fines, damages, injunctions or product recalls, or criminal sanctions, which could be material. Even if a claim is unsuccessful, is not merited or is not fully pursued, the negative publicity surrounding such assertions regarding our products or processes could jeopardize our reputation and brand image. Damage to our reputation or loss of consumer confidence in our products for any of these reasons could have a material adverse effect on our businesses, as well as require resources to rebuild our reputation.
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While we believe we have obtained the necessary regulatory approvals to manufacture and sell our currently marketed products, new or more restrictive regulations or more restrictive interpretations of existing regulations could have an adverse impact on our businesses. Additionally, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or "SOX" and new SEC regulations are creating uncertainty for companies such as ours. These new or changed laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies, which could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new or changed laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to practice, our reputation and attraction as an investment may be substantially harmed.
Labor Strikes at Ports could delay shipments of our products and adversely affect our sales.
Since we have products shipped from China to our West Coast distribution center, the Los Angeles Port is the preferred port for shipments of our products. The Los Angeles Port is a major port for the U.S. and the Los Angeles Port has been afflicted by a labor strike that has delayed processing of shipped imports for months. While the strike was resolved on February 20, 2015, the backlog in processing imports could affect our future sales. As a result of these delays, we have been unable to replenish on hand domestic inventories effectively and therefore could not fulfil some domestic orders. The impact of these delays combined with the fact that there were no indications that the dispute was ending, created a lot of uncertainty with retailers, as there were no assurances that arriving containers would be offloaded in the West Coast ports and arrive in the stores for the promotional period. As a result many retailers decided to cancel or postponed their promotions entirely. The impact of this dispute has been felt throughout the retail industry. A new agreement was finalized on February 20, 2015 but there remains a tremendous backlog of vessels to be off loaded that has been estimated will take another two months before the backlog is cleared up. With the ending of the dispute, we fully expect retailers to resume their promotional activities.
CAPC’s manufacturing facilities or supply channels may be subject to disruption from events beyond our control.
We currently operate a number of manufacturing and packaging facilities in China for our products. Operations at such facilities may be subject to disruption for a variety of reasons, including:
· availability of raw materials;
· work stoppages or other labor disputes;
· power supply disruptions;
· industrial accidents or other occupational health and safety issues;
· disruptions in logistics;
· loss or impairment of key manufacturing sites;
· raw material and product quality or safety issues;
· licensing requirements and other regulatory issues; and
· acts of war, terrorism, pandemics, fire, earthquake, flooding or other natural disasters.
19
There is a possibility that third party manufacturers, which produce our products, could discontinue production with little or no advance notice, or experience financial problems or problems with product quality or timeliness of product delivery, resulting in manufacturing delays or disruptions, regulatory sanctions, product liability claims or consumer complaints.
Although we have contingency plans in place, and our multiple facilities and third-party manufacturers can provide alternative sources of product supply in the event of manufacturing disruptions, if a major disruption were to occur, it could result in delays in shipments of products to customers or suspension of operations.
CAPC’s business involves the potential for product liability and other claims against us, which could affect our results of operations and financial condition.
While we have not experienced any material product liability claims, we may face exposure to product liability claims in the event that one of our products is alleged to have resulted in property damage, bodily injury or other adverse effects. Although we maintain product liability insurance in amounts that we believe are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain such insurance on acceptable terms, if at all, in the future or that product liability claims will not exceed the amount of insurance coverage. Additionally, we do not maintain product recall insurance. As a result, product recalls or product liability claims could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, we face potential exposure to unusual or significant litigation arising out of alleged defects in our products or otherwise. We spend substantial resources ensuring compliance with governmental and other applicable standards. However, compliance with these standards does not necessarily prevent individual or class action lawsuits, which can entail significant cost and risk. We do not maintain insurance against many types of claims involving alleged defects in our products that do not involve personal injury or property damage. As a result, these types of claims could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
If CAPC fails to adequately protect its intellectual property rights, competitors may manufacture and market similar products, which could adversely affect our market share and results of operations.
CAPC relies on trademark, trade secret, patent and copyright laws to protect our intellectual property rights. In particular, our trademarks are of material importance to our business and are among our most important assets. In 2014, substantially all of our total revenues were from products bearing proprietary trademarks and brand names. Accordingly, our future success may depend, in part, upon the goodwill associated with our trademarks and brand names. In addition, CAPC owns a number of patents; patent applications and other technology which CAPC believes are significant to our business.
We cannot be sure that these intellectual property rights will be maximized or that they can be successfully asserted. There is a risk that CAPC will not be able to obtain and perfect or maintain our own intellectual property rights or, where appropriate, license intellectual property rights necessary to support new product introductions. We cannot be certain that these rights, if obtained, will not be invalidated, circumvented or challenged in the future, and CAPC could incur significant costs in connection with legal actions to defend our intellectual property rights.
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In addition, even if such rights are obtained in the United States, the laws of some of the other countries in which CAPC’s products are or may be sold do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. If other parties infringe our intellectual property rights, they may dilute the value of our brands in the marketplace, which could diminish the value that consumers associate with our brands and harm our sales. The failure to perfect or successfully assert our intellectual property rights could make CAPC less competitive and could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
We may not be able to continue to identify and complete strategic acquisitions and effectively integrate acquired companies to achieve desired financial benefits.
While we have not consummated any acquisitions in 2014, we may not be able to identify and successfully negotiate suitable strategic acquisitions, obtain financing for future acquisitions on satisfactory terms or otherwise complete future acquisitions. Furthermore, our existing operations may encounter unforeseen operating difficulties and may require significant financial and managerial resources, which would otherwise be available for the ongoing development or expansion of our existing operations.
Even if we can complete future acquisitions, we face significant challenges in consolidating functions and effectively integrating procedures, personnel, product lines, and operations in a timely and efficient manner. The integration process can be complex and time consuming, may be disruptive to our existing and acquired businesses, and may cause an interruption of, or a loss of momentum in, those businesses. Even if we can successfully complete the integration of acquired businesses into our operations, there is no assurance that anticipated cost savings, synergies, or revenue enhancements will be realized within the expected time frame, or at all. CAPC is subject to a number of significant risks associated with acquisitions, including:
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the risk that our industry may develop in a different direction than anticipated and that the technologies we acquire do not prove to be those we need to be successful in the industry;
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the risk that future valuations of acquired businesses may decrease from the market price we paid for these acquisitions;
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the generation of insufficient revenues by acquired businesses to offset acquisition costs and increased operating expenses associated with these acquisitions;
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the potential difficulties in completing in-process research and development projects and delivering high quality products to our customers;
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the potential difficulties in integrating new products, businesses and operations in an efficient and effective manner
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the risk that our customers or customers of the acquired businesses may defer purchase decisions as they evaluate the impact of the acquisitions on our future product strategy
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the potential loss of key employees of the acquired businesses;
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the risk that acquired businesses will divert the attention of our senior management from the operation of our core Capstone business; and
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the risks of entering new markets in which we have limited experience and where competitors may have a stronger market presence.
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Our inability to successfully operate and integrate newly-acquired businesses appropriately, effectively and in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on our ability to take advantage of further growth in demand for products in our marketplace, as well as on our revenues, gross margins and expenses.
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21
OUR COMMON STOCK
Our Common Stock is subject to certain "penny stock" rules promulgated by the SEC. Those rules impose certain sales practice requirements on brokers who sell "penny stock" ( that is, stock with a market price below $5 per share and more commonly below $1 per share) to persons other than established customers and accredited investors (generally institutions with assets in excess of $5,000,000 or individuals with net worth in excess of $1,000,000). Brokers must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written consent to the transaction prior to the sale. Furthermore, the penny stock rules generally require, among other things, that brokers engaged in secondary trading of penny stocks provide customers with written disclosure documents, monthly statements of the market value of penny stocks, disclosure of the bid and asked prices and disclosure of the compensation to the brokerage firm and disclosure of the sales person working for the brokerage firm. These rules and regulations adversely affect the ability of brokers to sell or promote our Common Stock shares and limit the liquidity and market price of our securities. Our lack of any sustained history of sustained profitability from operations also depresses the market value of our Common Stock.
We lack primary market makers and institutional support for our Common Stock traded in the public markets. As result, whenever the market price for our Common Stock experiences any significant increase in market price, in terms of percentage increase, it is difficult for our Common Stock to maintain such an increased market price due to the pressure of shareholders selling shares of Common Stock to reap any profits from such increase in market price and the lack of primary market makers and institutional investors to stabilize and support any such increase in market price of our Common Stock (by not selling their positions of such stock in response to market price increases and entering the market to purchase more shares of our Common Stock). Further, trading of a relatively small volume of our Common Stock may have a greater impact on the trading price for our Common Stock than would be the case if our public float were larger or our Common Stock was actively supported by market makers. We cannot predict the prices at which our Common Stock will trade in the future.
The market price of our Common Stock is likely to be highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in price in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
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our lack of primary market makers for our Common Stock – we have market makers but none are primary market makers who maintain an inventory of our Common Stock and actively support the Common Stock;
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general worldwide economic conditions and the current crisis in the financial markets;
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the lack of research analysts or news media coverage of CAPC or our Common Stock;
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additions or departures of key personnel;
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sales of our Common Stock by the Company or insiders;
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our status as a “Penny Stock” Company;
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our ability to execute our business plan;
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operating results being below expectations;
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loss of any strategic relationships;
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industry or product developments;
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sale of a substantial number of shares may cause the price of our common stock to decline;
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economic and other external factors; and
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period-to-period fluctuations and the uncertainty in our financial results.
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22
We have not paid and we do not intend to pay dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all future earnings, if any, to finance our current and proposed business activities and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. We may also incur indebtedness in the future that may prohibit or effectively restrict the payment of cash dividends on our Common Stock.
Item 1B. Unresolved SEC Staff Letters.
None for year ended December 31, 2014.
Item 2. Properties.
Neither the Company nor its operating subsidiaries own any real properties or facilities. CAPC and Capstone Industries share principal executive offices and operating facilities at 350 Jim Moran Blvd., Suite 120, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442. On February 17, 2014 Capstone International, H.K. Ltd entered into a two year lease agreement for Office space at 303 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. The lease has a base annual rent of $48,000 (HK$372,000) paid in monthly installments. Rent expense, included in general and administrative expenses, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 amounted to $120,704 and $55,871, respectively. The Company has no current plans to expand its US facilities and believes that its current facilities will be adequate for the near future. Capstone Industries entered into a new lease agreement for the same office space as currently located. The new lease agreement dated January 17, 2014 and effective February 1, 2014, has a 3 year lease with a base annual rent of $87,678 paid in equal monthly installments. The Company has the one time option to renew the lease for three (3) years subject to a 3% increase per each year of the renewal term. Under the new lease agreement, Capstone is responsible for its apportioned charges for electricity or any other utility consumed in the leased premises. The Company believes that its current lease arrangements are adequate for its operations.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
We are not a party to any material pending legal proceedings and, to the best our knowledge, no such action by or against us has been threatened. From time to time, we are subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. Although occasional adverse decisions or settlements may occur in such routine lawsuits, we believe that the final disposition of such routine lawsuits will not have material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or status as a going concern.
Other Legal Matters
To the best of our knowledge, none of our directors, officers or owner of record of more than five percent (5%) of the securities of the Company, or any associate of any such director, officer or security holder is a party adverse to us or has a material interest adverse to us in reference to pending litigation.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures (Not Applicable).
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.
As of December 31, 2014, there were approximately 1,250 holders of record (excluding OBO/Street Name accounts) of our Common Stock and 654,010,532 outstanding shares of the Common Stock. We have not previously declared or paid any dividends on our Common Stock and do not anticipate declaring any dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. The following table shows the high and low bid prices of the Common Stock as quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board or OTC Markets Group, Inc. QB Market, by quarter, during each of our last two fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. These quotes reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail markup, markdown or commissions and may not represent actual transactions. The information below was obtained from information provided from the OTC Bulletin Board or The OTC Markets Group, Inc. QB Market, for the respective periods.
2014
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2013
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high
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low
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high
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low
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1st Quarter
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.026
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.023
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.009
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.007
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2nd Quarter
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.052
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.048
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.008
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.005
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3rd Quarter
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.033
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.030
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.007
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.004
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4th Quarter
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.024
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.020
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.019
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.005
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Effective July 6, 2012, Company’s corporate name changed to “Capstone Companies, Inc.” from “CHDT Corporation” and the trading symbol for the Company’s Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, changed from “CHDO” to “CAPC.” The Company’s Common Stock is quoted on The OTC Markets Group, Inc.’s QB Tier.
Dividend Policy
We have not declared or paid any cash or other dividends on shares of our Common Stock in the last five years, and we presently have no intention of paying any cash dividends on shares of our Common Stock. We do not currently anticipate, based on existing financial performance, to be declaring or paying dividends on any series of our preferred stock in the foreseeable future. Our current policy is to retain earnings, if any, to finance the expansion and development of our business. The future payment of dividends on shares of our Common Stock will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors, but we do not anticipate declaring or paying any dividends in the foreseeable future due to our need to fund business and product development.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
Except as set forth herein or reported in our Information Statement to be filed within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, we have no recent sales of unregistered securities that have not been previously reported in filings with the SEC.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data. (Not Applicable)
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and other parts of this Report contain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as “future,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and CAPC’s actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this Report under the heading “Risk Factors,” which are incorporated herein by reference. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this Form 10-K. All information presented herein is based on CAPC’s fiscal calendar. Unless otherwise stated, references to particular years or quarters refer to the CAPC’s fiscal years ended in December and the associated quarters of those fiscal years. CAPC assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason, except as required by law.
Executive Overview
Capstone Industries started supplying the lighting departments of recognized big box retailers in early 2006 prior to its acquisition by Capstone Companies Inc. The Company exploited a niche category referred to as power failure lighting. We entered the business strategically through its introduction of induction charging and stylish designs in what was commonly considered a utility type product category. We continue to develop and manufacture a range of stylish, innovative and easy to use consumer lighting products including portable book lights, multi-task lights, night lights, wireless motion sensor lights in addition to our most recognized brand of Eco-I-Lites power failure lights. Our products are primarily sold under our wholly-owned subsidiary, CAPI’s “Capstone’s” brand name, Capstone Lighting as well as under store control brands from time to time. CAPC seeks to deliver strong, consistent business results and superior shareholder returns by providing consumers with products that make their lives simpler and safer. Disposable income remains limited for many consumers, and because the Company's products are seen as necessity for safety and security reasons, sales at retail remain consistent. Consumers often give these useful products as gifts as well which is evidenced by the substantial historic holiday sales.
To date the Company maintains and supplies 5 core product categories: (1) Rechargeable Handheld Power Failure lights and night lights. (2) Battery powered Wireless Motion Sensor Lights. (3) Power Failure lights in several styles including handheld and wall fixtures. (4) portable task lights and (5) Wireless Remote Control Outlets.
Within these categories, the Company follows a closely defined business strategy to develop and increase market leadership positions in these key product segments. These product categories are prioritized based on their capacity to maximize the use of the organization’s core competencies and to deliver sustainable long-term growth.
25
Our ongoing strategy is to develop and maintain positions of innovative and technical leadership in our chosen markets, and leverage those positions to grow the amount of volume of product sold to those markets. Historically we sought to find niche product opportunities that may have been overlooked or underexploited by competitors, and were open to new concepts by the buying community improving odds for the Company to win a profitable niche of the market share. We continue to look for opportunities in all of our markets to capitalize on our core competencies to expand our existing business and to grow through strategic acquisitions. The Company's investment in AC Kinetics is indicative of the type of investment where some strategic benefit in addition to a financial return can be realized.
On an ongoing basis, management focuses on a variety of key indicators to monitor business health and performance. These indicators include market share, sales, organic sales growth, gross profit margin, operating profit, and net income, as well as measures used to optimize the management of working capital, capital expenditures, cash flow and return on capital. The monitoring of these indicators, and the Company’s corporate governance policies help to maintain business health and strong internal controls. To achieve its business and financial objectives, the Company focuses the organization on initiatives to drive and fund growth. The Company seeks to capture significant opportunities for growth by identifying and meeting consumer needs within its core product categories, through its focus on innovation and development of successful new products. The investments needed to fund this growth are developed through continuous, Company-wide initiatives to lower costs and increase effective asset utilization through which the Company seeks to become even more effective and efficient throughout its businesses.
Looking forward, we expect global macroeconomic and market conditions to remain highly challenging. While the global marketplace in which we operate has always been highly competitive, the Company has recently experienced heightened competitive activity in certain markets from other large multinational companies, some of which may have greater resources than we do. Such activities have included more aggressive marketing and increased promotional spending. While the Company has taken, and will continue to take, measures to address the heightened competitive activity, should these conditions persist, they could adversely affect the Company’s future results. The Company believes it is well prepared to meet the challenges ahead due to its strong financial condition, experience operating in challenging environments and continued focus on the Company’s strategic initiatives: effectiveness and efficiency; innovation; and leadership. This focus, together with the increasing strength of the Company's global brand recognition should position the Company well to increase shareholder value over the long-term.
We operate in a highly competitive industry with aggressive pricing and frequent changes in technology or design. We may not have sufficient or affordable or timely funding to respond to some significant changes in technology or design changes in our industry that attract significant consumer demand. The failure to respond quickly to consumer demand or changes in consumer demand could prove detrimental to our current and future business and financial condition.
We also operate in product lines which have moderate profit margins. As such, we are very selective when planning new product launches in an effort to minimize too many instances of launching or producing products that do not appeal to consumers and produce sufficient consumer demand or sales.
We do not regularly perform third party or independent marketing studies or consumer surveys relative to our Capstone Lighting branded products, but rely on customer feedback to our salespeople and our review of industry trends in trade journals and news media and at trade shows to formulate marketing and product development plans.
26
As is true for any consumer product company, our financial and business results could be suddenly and adversely affected by changes in consumer purchasing habits and tastes in any major market. Further, technological changes can unexpectedly affect such consumer purchasing habits and tastes. We seek to develop and sell products that serve a basic consumer.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND OUTLOOK
|
|
2014
|
|
2013
|
2012
|
||||
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales
|
|
$
|
13,624
|
|
$
|
14,594
|
|
$
|
8,363
|
Gross Margin %
|
|
|
20.4%
|
24.7%
|
21.4%
|
||||
SG&A Expenses
|
|
$
|
2,891
|
|
$
|
2,494
|
$
|
2,121
|
|
SG&A Expenses as a Percentage of Sales
|
|
|
21.2%
|
17.1%
|
25.4%
|
||||
Interest Expense
|
|
$
|
328
|
|
$
|
389
|
$
|
274
|
|
Effective Tax (Benefit) Rate
|
|
|
0%
|
0%
|
0%
|
||||
Net (Loss) Earnings
|
|
$
|
(437)
|
$
|
727
|
|
$
|
(607)
|
CONSOLIDATED OVERVIEW OF OPERATIONS
Net Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $13.6 million, compared to $14.6 million in 2013. That is a reduction of $1.0 million or (approximately 6.8%) from 2013.
As has been stated in previous quarterly reports, revenue can fluctuate greatly between quarters, because of the demands by retailers. The overall net revenue reduction between 2014 and 2013 was the result of several factors namely:
- As referenced in the third quarter 2014 financial report on Form 10-Q, part of the increased revenue in the third quarter was the result of retailers advancing approximately $2.0 million of shipments from the fourth quarter into the third quarter, to ensure the stores had inventories for the holiday season.
- All of our goods are received into West Coast ports. With the continuing port slowdown and the protracted contract dispute between the Unions and the West Coast Port authorities, it resulted in containers being substantially delayed and product being available in the stores from 3 to 6 weeks later than required by retailers.
- The impact of these delays combined with the fact that there were no indications that the dispute was ending, created a lot of uncertainty with retailers, as there were no assurances that arriving containers would be offloaded in the West Coast ports and merchandise arrive in the stores for the promotional period. As a result many retailers decided to cancel or postponed their promotions entirely. The impact of this dispute has been felt throughout the retail industry. A new agreement was finalized on February 20, 2015 but there remains a tremendous backlog of vessels to be off loaded that has been estimated will take another two months before the backlog is cleared up. With the ending of the dispute, we fully expect retailers to resume their promotional activities.
27
- As we already had significant Capstone branded inventories in the Market Place for the holiday season, a strategic decision was made that with the introduction of our new branded program in 2015, that the Company would support the Capstone brand where the program was currently placed, but would limit new offers so as to reduce the exposure to markdown allowances or inventory returns by retailers whom would want to move into the new branded product lines. This also resulted in revenue reductions in the fourth quarter 2014.
During 2014 the Company launched a new product line, the Remote Control Outlet Program and expanded the Wireless Motion Sensor Light program. Both of these programs were well received by retailers and consumers and accounted for most of the revenue growth in these product categories
Cost of Sales, for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $10.8 million, compared to $11.0 million in the prior year. This represents 79.5% and 75.3% respectively of total Net Revenues. For 2014, as a percent to net sales, cost of sales increased by approximately 4.2% of sales over 2013. This was partly the result of a $225,000 non-recurring manufacturing cost incurred in the third quarter and we also provided $915,000 of additional promotional allowances to retailers to stimulate consumer response. The promotional allowances had the impact of reducing sales and as a result increased the cost of sales to net sales percentage by approximately 5%.
Despite rising labor costs in China our overall material and unit product costs have remained very steady during the year. Our Hong Kong based sourcing team, with their local presence has achieved this through strategic and volume materials buying and negotiations with our factories
Gross Profit, for the year ended December 31, 2014, was approximately $2.8 million, a reduction of $800,000 or (approximately 22.2%), from the 2013 gross profit of $3.6 million. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 20.4% for the year compared to 24.7% for 2013.
Operating Expenses were $2.891million in 2014 as compared to $2.494 million in 2013, a net increase of $397,000 or (approximately 15.9%). During 2014 we continued to incur strategic and planned expenses in infrastructure and product development projects that were necessary to support future revenue growth, specifically:
Sales and Marketing expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $316,000. For 2013, expenses were $490,000, however that included $244,000 of once-off expenses related specifically to FIFA World Cup watch program. During 2014 the Company continued its marketing – product promotion strategy specifically for retail product advertising and promotions to further stimulate consumer response and product awareness.
Compensation Expenses were approximately $1.407 million in 2014, an increase of $434,000 or 44.6% from $973,000 expensed in 2013. Of this increase, $300,000 related to building the Hong Kong office employee infrastructure which now includes Executive Management, General Management, Electrical Engineers, Sourcing Merchant, Logistic Management and Quality Control personnel. We also added additional sales support staff in the U.S. office.
Professional Fees for 2014 were $190,000 compared to $326,000 in 2013, a reduction of $136,000 or 41.8%. As we staffed our Hong Kong office we were able to greatly reduce the cost of outside consultant fees, which was reduced by $146,000 in 2014. We did incur some new professional fees for our Hong Kong operation with the appointment of a Hong Kong accounting firm to maintain our financial records and prepare our annual Hong Kong financial audit and tax returns.
28
Product Development expenses for 2014 were $374,000 as compared to $226,000, an increase of $149,000 or 65.8% over 2013. During 2014 we incurred significant expense in product development to support the release of many new items for 2015, from product design, electrical engineering, to product prototyping, testing and regulatory certifications by outside third party labs. We have also incurred additional testing expense in having certain products certified for global markets.
Other General and Admin expenses for 2014 were $605,000; up $126,000 from $479,000 in 2013. The expense increase was the result of $73,000 of additional rental expense, mainly associated with the addition of the new Hong Kong office and $47,000 from higher travel expense during the year associated with increased retailer sales presentations and international trips to China.
Interest Expense for the year ending December 31, 2014, was $328,000 a reduction of $61,000 as compared to $389,000 expensed in 2013. The overall net interest reduction is the result of specific stated goals to reduce the interest burden. During 2014, we repaid $808,000 of old loans and interest that resulted in interest savings of $49,000. Also during the year Sterling National Bank further expanded the availability of our credit line to $7million and changed the timing of when we could submit orders for funding. This allowed us to have more access to Purchase order funding at a lower interest rate. It is our goal to continue to reduce old outstanding loans as cash flow allows, in order to reduce the interest burden as much as possible.
Net Income (Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2014; the Company had an overall net loss of $(437,000). For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company had a net income of $727,000 .The reasons for the $1.164 net income decrease from 2013, were; the overall revenue reduction in the 2014 compared to 2013. Included in the $437,000 loss, we incurred $564,000 of required infrastructure expense with the expanding of the Hong Kong operation, $316,000 expense in direct promotional advertising activities and $374,000 in product development in new technology and for future product launches. This represents a total of $1.254 million of expenses incurred to support the Company’s overall strategic plan.
We also provided $915,000 of product promotional allowances to retailers as a reduction to Gross Sales, to aggressively support retail sales movement during the third and fourth quarter holiday period, so that we didn’t have larger inventories on retailers’ shelves after the winter holiday period.
If we had not incurred the $1.254 million of strategic expenses then our net income would have been very similar to last year’s results. However without those expenditures we would not be in a position structurally to pursue the new revenue opportunities that we now have in place.
The effective tax (benefit) rate was 0% in both 2014 and 2013.
SEGMENT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND OUTLOOK
Operating profit, as presented below, is sales less cost of sales and other operating expenses excluding interest expense, corporate expenses and other non-operating revenue and expenses. Cost of sales and operating expenses are directly attributable to the respective segment. Operating profit is reconciled to earnings before income taxes in Note 8 of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this Report.
29
Sales
|
|||
2014
|
2013
|
2012
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages)
|
|||
Sales
|
$13,625
|
$14,59
|
$8,363
|
Gross Profit
|
$2,782
|
$3,610
|
$1,788
|
Operating Margin
|
20.4%
|
24.7%
|
21.4%
|
Assets
|
|||
2014
|
2013
|
2012
|
|
(In thousands, except percentages)
|
|||
Total Assets
|
$4,335
|
$11,278
|
$6,113
|
It is our intention to continue investing in capabilities and technologies as needed that allows us to execute our strategy to increase sales and production volume in all markets that we serve. The rate of spending on these activities, however, will continue to be driven by market opportunities.
With the retail interest in our current product offerings, expansion of distribution channels through the domestic purchase program, the launching of the LED Home category products under the new brand, the establishment of Capstone International Hong Kong. Ltd, and the introduction of new products and the product development program implemented with AC Kinetics Technologies, the Company anticipates its sales volumes to significantly grow in fiscal years 2015-2016.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have material off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material future effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
Contractual Obligations
The following table represents contractual obligations as of December 31, 2014:
|
|
Payments Due by Period
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
|
Total
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
After 2017
|
|
|||||
Purchase Obligations
|
$
|
645
|
$
|
645
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
|
|||||||||
Short-Term Debt
|
2,223
|
2,223
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|||||||||||||||
Long-Term Debt
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
||||||||||||||
Operating Leases
|
242
|
137
|
97
|
8
|
0
|
|
||||||||||||||
Interest on Long-Term Debt
|
126
|
126
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
||||||||||||||
Other Long-Term Liabilities
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
||||||||||||||
Total Contractual Obligations
|
$
|
3,236
|
$
|
3,131
|
$
|
97
|
$
|
8
|
$
|
0
|
|
Notes to Contractual Obligations Table
·
|
Purchase Obligations — Purchase obligations are comprised of the Company’s commitments for goods and services in the normal course of business.
|
·
|
Note Payable and Long-Term Debt — See Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Notes 3 and 4 in this report.
|
·
|
Operating Leases — Operating lease obligations are related to facility leases for our operations in the U.S. and in Hong Kong.
|
30
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
|
|
2014
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|||
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided (used) by:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Activities
|
|
$
|
5,137
|
$
|
(2,944)
|
$
|
(1,397)
|
|||||
Investing Activities
|
|
|
(90)
|
(513)
|
(110)
|
|||||||
Financing Activities
|
|
|
(5,170)
|
|
|
|
3,482
|
|
|
|
1,754
|
|
Our borrowing capacity with Sterling, funding support from directors and cash flow from operations provide us with the financial resources needed to run our operations and reinvest in our business.
Operating Activities
Cash flow provided by operating activities was $5.137 million in 2014 compared with approximately $(2.944) million used by operating activities in 2013. This was mainly achieved by the $5.794 million collection of Accounts Receivables in 2014 which resulted from large shipments in the fourth quarter 2013. As of December 31, 2014, Accounts Receivable was $978,000 as compared to $6.927 million in 2013.
Our cash flows from operations are primarily dependent on our net income adjusted for non-cash expenses and the timing of collections of receivables, level of inventory and payments to suppliers. Sales are influenced significantly by the timing and launch of new products into the marketplace. By expanding our Hong Kong operations we are building an operational structure that can develop and release quality products to market substantially quicker than we have been able to accomplish in previous years.
Investing Activities
Cash used for investing activities in 2014 was $(89,000) compared to $(513,000) in 2013. The Company has continued to invest in new product molds and tooling. With the product expansion into many new LED home lighting categories, the Company’s future capital requirements will increase greatly. Management believes that our cash flow from operations supplemented with additional borrowing sources as deemed necessary and with the added support of our directors will provide for these necessary capital expenditures.
Financing Activities
Our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity is highly dependent upon achieving expected operating results. Failure to achieve expected operating results could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, our ability to obtain financing and our operations in the future. Net Cash provided by (used-in) in financing activities for the year as of December 31, 2014 was $(5.170) million and $3.482 million in 2013. During 2014 we used $801,000 to pay off old debt and interest. At December 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all of the covenants pursuant to existing credit facilities. To fund the development, expansion, marketing and inventory of the new branded product line, the Company will require additional working capital during this development and launch phase. The Company’s will review alternate sources to supplement funding for working capital and debt service. However CEO and Director Stewart Wallach and Director Dr. Jeffrey Postal will provide required funding to supplement any funding shortfalls during this launch phase.
31
DIVIDENDS
We have not declared or paid any cash or other dividends on shares of our Common Stock in the last five years, and we presently have no intention of paying any cash dividends on shares of our Common Stock. We do not currently anticipate, based on existing financial performance, to be declaring or paying dividends on any series of our preferred stock in the foreseeable future. Our current policy is to retain earnings, if any, to finance the expansion and development of our business. The future payment of dividends on shares of our Common Stock will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors, but we do not anticipate declaring or paying any dividends in the foreseeable future due to our need to fund business and product development.
RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
See Note 4 of the Consolidated Financial Statements at Item 8 of this report.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
See Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements at Item 8 of this report.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about market Risk. (Not Applicable)
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The financial statements and financial statement schedules of CAPC as well as supplementary data are listed in Item 13 below and included after the signature page to this Report.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
There are not and have not been any disagreements between the Company and its accountants on any matter of accounting principles, practices, financial statements disclosure or auditing scope or procedure.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Since December 2007 through 2009, our Chief Financial Officer, assisted by the Chief Operating Officer, had been responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal disclosure control over financial reporting. Since 2010 our Chief Financial Officer, assisted by the Corporate Controller, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal disclosure control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
As of the date of this Report, Stewart Wallach is our Chief Executive Officer and James Gerald (“Gerry’) McClinton is our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
32
Our Chief Financial Officer has reviewed the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) as of the year end of this Report.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. No matter how well conceived and operated, an internal control system can provide only a certain level of confidence in the ability of the internal controls to identify errors. In light of the inherent limitations in all internal control systems and procedures, and the limitations of the Company's resources, no evaluation of internal controls can provide absolute assurance that all defects or errors in the operation of our internal control systems will be immediately identified. These inherent limitations include the realities that subjective judgments in decision-making in this area can be faulty and that a breakdown in internal processes can occur because of simple, good faith error or mistake. No design, can, in all instances, immediately accommodate changes in regulatory requirements or changes in the business and financial environment of a Company. Such inherent limitations in a control system means that inadvertent misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be immediately or in a timely manner detected. Nonetheless, we recognize our ongoing obligation to use our best efforts to design and apply internal controls and procedures that are as effective as possible in identifying errors or breakdowns in the internal controls system and procedures.
The framework for our evaluation of the adequacy of our internal disclosure controls and procedures comes from our use of CCH, Inc.’s 2007 SOX for Small, Publicly Held Companies and applicable accounting standards and guidelines as supplemented by guidance from outside legal and accountant advice.
We believe our internal disclosure controls and procedures are effective as the end of the period covered by this report in providing reasonable assurances that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of CAPC’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by CAPC’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Commission that permit CAPC to provide only management’s report in this Report.
Item 9B. Other Information
None
33
Part III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The background information on the directors is set forth below under "Item 1. Proposal Two: Election of Directors." Each Director's term is for one year. The incumbent and current members of the Board of Directors are:
1.
|
Stewart Wallach. Mr. Wallach has been a director since April 2007.
|
2.
|
Gerry McClinton. Mr. McClinton has been a director since February 2008.
|
3.
|
Jeffrey Postal. Mr. Postal has been a director since January 2004.
|
4.
|
Jeffrey Guzy. Mr. Guzy was appointed as a director on May 3, 2007. Mr. Guzy is deemed an "independent director."
|
5.
|
Larry Sloven. Mr. Sloven was appointed as a director on May 3, 2007. Mr. Sloven is an outside director.
|
Company directors have typically been elected in the past by written consent of stockholders holding more than 50% of the then current voting power. The Company uses the written consent because a small number of shareholders have sufficient voting power to decide the election of directors and approval or denial of any other corporate resolution and the cost of conducting an annual stockholders' meeting is significant for a small reporting company. The Company conducts regular stockholder-investor conference calls to allow stockholders to interact with Company senior management and to ask questions of that management.
Further, stockholders may make inquiries in writing by sending their inquiries to Aimee Gaudet, Secretary, Capstone Companies, Inc., 350 Jim Moran Boulevard, Suite 120, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442. The information required in Part III of this Report is set forth in the information statement filed for the written consent approval of nominee slates of directors and the requirements for stockholders to submit proposed resolutions and director nominees is set forth in this Report.
POLICY REGARDING BOARD ATTENDANCE
Company directors are expected to attend all annual and special board meetings per Company policy. An attendance rate of less than 75% over any 12-month period is grounds for removal from the Board of Directors. In fiscal year 2014, all directors attended at least 75% of all board meetings
ROLE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the Chief Executive Officer and other senior management in order to assure that such officers are competent and ethical in running the Company on a day-to-day basis and to assure that the long-term interests of the shareholders are being served by such management. The directors must take a pro-active focus and approach to their obligation in order to set and enforce standards to ensure that the Company is committed to business success through maintenance of the highest standards of responsibility and ethics.
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics, which is posted on http://capstonecompaniesinc.com. The contents of the Company Website are not incorporated herein by reference and that Website provided in this Information Statement is intended to be an inactive textual reference only
34
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee was established in accordance with Section 3(a) (58) (A) of the Exchange Act. It is primarily responsible for overseeing the services performed by the Company's independent public auditors, evaluating the Company's accounting policies and its system of internal controls and reviewing significant financial transactions. The members of the Audit Committee in fiscal year 2014 were Jeffrey Guzy and Jeffrey Postal. The Company believes that Mr. Guzy is an independent director under applicable standards.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The material in this section is not deemed filed with the Commission and is not incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date of this Report and irrespective of any general incorporation language in those filings.
The Audit Committee is responsible for providing oversight to Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audit of the Company’s financial statements. The Audit Committee monitors the Company’s external audit process, including auditor independence matters, the scope and fees related to audits, and the extent to which the independent registered public accounting firm may be retained to perform non-audit services. The Audit Committee also reviews the results of the external audit with regard to the adequacy and appropriateness of our financial, accounting and internal controls over financial reporting. It also generally oversees Company’s internal compliance programs. The function of the Audit Committee is not intended to duplicate or to certify the activities of management and the independent registered public accounting firm, nor can the Audit Committee certify that the independent registered public accounting firm is “independent” under applicable rules. The Audit Committee members are not professional accountants or auditors. Under its Charter, the Audit Committee has authority to retain outside legal, accounting or other advisors as it deems necessary to carry out its duties and to require the Company to pay for such expenditures.
The Audit Committee provides counsel, advice and direction to management and the independent registered public accounting firm on matters for which it is responsible, based on the information it receives from management and the independent registered public accounting firm and the experience of its members in business, financial and accounting matters.
Company’s management is responsible for the preparation and integrity of its financial statements, accounting and financial reporting principles, and internal controls and procedures designed to ensure compliance with accounting standards, applicable laws and regulations.
In this context, the Audit Committee hereby reports as follows:
(1) Company’s management has represented to the Audit Committee that the 2014 audited financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for year 2014 with Company’s management and the independent registered public accounting firm.
(2) The Audit Committee has received written disclosures and a letter from the independent registered public accounting firm, Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. required by the PCAOB and has discussed with Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. their independence.
35
(3) Based on the review and discussion referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the board, and the board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in Company’s Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the Commission on March 26, 2015.
The foregoing report is provided by the undersigned members of the Audit Committee.
/s/Jeffrey Guzy
Jeffrey Guzy, Chairman
March 23, 2015
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE (“Compensation Committee”) OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following report of the compensation and nominating committee of the Board of Directors shall not be deemed "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act or Exchange Act, except to the extent that the company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.
OBJECTIVES
The Compensation Committee is primarily responsible for reviewing the compensation arrangements for the Company's executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, and for administering the Company's stock-based compensation plans. The Compensation Committee was established in January 2005. The Compensation Committee held one meeting in fiscal year 2014. Larry Sloven, Jeffrey Guzy and Jeff Postal are committee members for 2014. The Company believes that Mr. Guzy is an independent director under applicable NASDAQ standards. Mr. Sloven is not deemed to meet those standards because he is now a Director the Capstone International H.K. Ltd
On February 5, 2008, the Board of Directors changed the Compensation Committee to be the “Compensation and Nominating Committee” with the same membership as stated above. The charter of the new committee is on the Company’s Web Site. The Company is looking for independent directors to fill the Compensation Committee and, until such candidates are found, Mr. Sloven was asked to sit as a member of the Compensation and Nominating Committee.
It is the Company's objective to pursue compensation structures with the public shareholders' interests and the Company's business objectives, reward outstanding performance, be externally competitive and internally equitable, and attract and retain best available executive talent. We seek to achieve this goal through a straightforward compensation package that relies on equity compensation and limits cash compensation and perquisites.
The Company seeks to foster a performance-oriented culture, where individual performance is aligned with organizational objectives. Company performance is the primary measure of success upon which we structure our compensation.
The Compensation and Nominating Committee evaluates and rewards our executive officers and directors based on their contribution to the achievement of short and longer-term goals. Individual and departmental performance is factored into salary increase decisions and stock option (long - term incentive) awards.
36
The Compensation and Nominating Committee, together with our board, establishes compensation for our Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers and administers the 2005 Equity Plan. The Compensation Committee has a written charter, which is available on the Company Web Site (located at http://www.capstonecompaniesinc.com).
The purpose of our Compensation Committee is to:
·
|
discharge the board’s responsibilities relating to compensation of our executive officers;
|
·
|
administer our stock option plans, stock purchase plans, restricted stock plans and any other equity incentive plans adopted; and
|
·
|
provide disinterested administration of any employee benefit plans in which our executive officers are eligible to participate.
|
The Compensation and Nominating Committee did not use outside consultants in fiscal year 2014. It used compensation arrangements by other microcap companies to judge the appropriateness of the Company compensation arrangements.
The Company compensates people with:
Cash Compensation. Cash compensation consists of base salary and annual bonus potential. Our compensation consultant assists us in analyzing similar or “peer” companies to guide our determination of appropriate cash compensation. Our cash compensation goals for our executive officers are based upon the following principles: (1) compensation levels are comparable to industry levels as adjusted for experience and skills of individual officers; and (2) pay should retain key personnel.
Discretionary Bonus Program. In addition to base salary compensation, the Company has a bonus plan covering the executive officers pursuant to which cash bonus payments and equity awards may be made. Bonuses are calculated based upon actual achievement of pre-established goals.
Incentive Program. The Company believes that performance is achieved through an ownership culture that encourages ongoing performance by the executive officers. This is best achieved through the use of stock-based option awards. All employees are eligible to participate in our sole plan, the 2005 Equity Plan. We also issue non-qualified stock options. Our equity compensation goals for the executive officers are based upon the following principals: (1) incentive compensation should retain key personnel and reward loyal and productive employees, regardless of rank, and (2) individual awards of stock-based compensation should reflect individual performance as well as the importance of retaining such employee to our goal of achieving the Company’s then current strategic goals.
Our sole incentive plan is the 2005 Equity Plan, which allows us to grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance shares, and other stock-based awards. Under our 2005 Equity Plan, the Company can issue options to our officers, directors and employees to purchase shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of such stock on the date of grant. The date of grant for the executives is typically the date of a regularly scheduled board meeting, of which we have at least six (6) per year, but can be made at the time of job performance reviews.
Our Company does not have a program, plan or practice to select option grant dates (or set board meeting dates) to correspond with the release of material non-public information.
37
The Company does not have an Employee Stock Purchase Plan that provides employees with the opportunity to purchase shares of the Common Stock. Our practice was to make periodic annual equity grants to our executives. In determining equity grants for executives, we considered the importance of each employee to accomplishing our strategic goals.
Benefits. The Company provides the following benefits to our senior executives generally on the same basis as the benefits provided to all employees: (1) health care and dental insurance; and (2) paid personal and vacation leave.
The Compensation and Nominating Committee believes that these benefits are consistent with those offered by other companies and specifically with those companies with which we compete for employees.
By: ____/s/ Jeffrey Guzy____________________________
Jeffrey Guzy, Chairman of Compensation Committee
March 23, 2015
CODE OF ETHICS
The Company has a code of ethics that applies to all of the Company's employees, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, and its Board. A copy of this code is available on http://www.capstonecompaniesinc.com. The Company intends to disclose any changes in or waivers from its code of ethics by posting such information on its website or by filing a Form 8-K Report.
DIRECTOR MEETINGS IN FISCAL YEAR 2014
The Board of Directors had three official meetings in year 2014. During 2014, all of the directors attended 75% or more of all meetings of the Board, which were held during the period of time that such person served on the Board or such committee.
Board Leadership Structure and Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
The Company’s Board of Directors endorses the view that one of its primary functions is to protect stockholders’ interests by providing independent oversight of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer (who also holds the Chief Financial Officer position). The Chief Financial Officer is allowed and encouraged to address the Board of Directors on any issues affecting the Company or its public shareholders. The Company also allows outside counsel to participate in some of the board meetings in order to provide legal counsel and an outside perspective on corporate governance and risk issues.
Board Structure. The Company believes that the CEO should also serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors in order to have the person most knowledgeable about the Company heading the Board of Directors. The Chief Financial Officer is allowed and encouraged to address the Board of Directors on any risk issues facing the Company.
The Chief Executive Officer or “CEO” is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the Company and the day to day leadership and performance of the Company, while the Chairman of the Board of Directors provides guidance to senior management and sets the agenda for Board of Directors meetings and presides over meetings of the full Board of Directors.
38
Our CEO serves on our Board of Directors, which we believe helps the CEO serve as a bridge between management and the Board of Directors, ensuring that both groups act with a common purpose. We believe that the CEO’s presence on the Board of Directors enhances his ability to provide insight and direction on important strategic initiatives to both management and the independent directors and, at the same time, ensures that the appropriate level of independent oversight is applied to all decisions by the Board of Directors.
The Chairman of the Board has no greater nor lesser vote on matters considered by the Board than any other director, and neither the Chairman nor any other director votes on any related party transaction. All directors of the Company, including the Chairman, are bound by fiduciary obligations, imposed by law, to serve the best interests of the stockholders. Accordingly, separating the offices of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer would not serve to enhance or diminish the fiduciary duties of any director of the Company.
Independent Directors. The Board of the Company is currently comprised of five directors, one of whom is an independent director under the listing standards of quotation systems like The NASDAQ Stock Market. The Company has sought unsuccessfully to recruit qualified independent directors. Although we have D&O insurance, we believe that our chronic losses and chronically low public stock market price discourages qualified candidates from serving as independent directors. This is a problem commonly faced by micro-cap, “penny stock” companies like our company.
Risk is inherent with every business, and how well a business manages risk can ultimately determine its success or survival.
The Company faces a number of risks, including, without limit: (1) persistent net losses in consecutive fiscal quarters and years, which losses require outside funding or financing through the sale of our securities or insider loans to the Company (all of which usually dilute our existing shareholders and discourage public investors in investing in our Common Stock); (2) chronically low public stock market price, which hinders our ability to fund and grow our business; (3) reliance on regional and national distributors and retailers to sell our products in a highly competitive market filled with competitors who possess significantly greater resources and market share than our company; (4) customary operational risks; (5) lack of a strong brand name for our products; (6) reliance on key personnel and the lack of key man insurance that pays for replacements; (7) lack of primary markets and lack of institutional support for our publicly traded Common Stock; (8) low market price of our Common Stock hindering our ability to consummate or attract merger and acquisition candidates; (9) lack of assets (other than accounts receivable) to attain commercially reasonable financing for operations; and (10) the risks faced by any product company in today’s challenging environment.
We rely on China for the manufacture of our products. Any conflict between the U.S. and China could disrupt our product supply and force us to find alternative manufacturers. From time to time, we access the appeal of non-Chinese manufacturing sources.
39
Our senior officers are responsible for the day-to-day management of risks the Company faces, while the Board, as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. In its risk oversight role, the Board of Directors has the responsibility to satisfy itself that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management are adequate and functioning as designed. To do this, the Chairman of the Board and other non-officer directors met quarterly on average with management to discuss strategy and the risks facing the Company. Senior management, each member being also a director, attends the Board meetings and is available to address any questions or concerns raised by the Board on risk management and any other matters. The Chairman of the Board and members of the Board work together to provide strong, independent oversight of the Company’s management and affairs through its standing committees and, when necessary, special meetings of directors. Since most of the directors are located in the same area, informal meetings between directors and officers also occur to discuss business risk and appropriate responses.
Director - Minimum Qualifications. The Nominating and Compensation Committee has adopted a set of criteria that it considers when it selects individuals not currently on the Board of Directors to be nominated for election to the Board of Directors. A candidate must meet the eligibility requirements set forth in the Company’s Bylaws. A candidate must also meet any qualification requirements set forth in any Board or committee governing documents.
If the candidate is deemed eligible for election to the Board of Directors, the Nominating and Compensation Committee will then evaluate the prospective nominee to determine if he or she possesses the following qualifications, qualities or skills:
|
contributions to the range of talent, skill and expertise appropriate for the Board;
|
|
financial, regulatory and business experience, knowledge of the operations of public companies and ability to read and understand financial statements;
|
|
familiarity with the Company’s market;
|
|
personal and professional integrity, honesty and reputation;
|
|
the ability to represent the best interests of the shareholders of the Company and the best interests of the institution;
|
|
the ability to devote sufficient time and energy to the performance of his or her duties; and
|
|
independence under applicable Commission and listing definitions.
|
The Compensation Committee will also consider any other factors it deems relevant. With respect to nominating an existing director for re-election to the Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee will consider and review an existing director’s Board and committee attendance and performance; length of Board service; experience, skills and contributions that the existing director brings to the Board; and independence.
Director Nomination Process. The process that the Compensation Committee follows when it identifies and evaluates individuals to be nominated for election to the Board of Directors is as follows:
For purposes of identifying nominees for the Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee relies on personal contacts of the committee members and other members of the Board of Directors, and will consider director candidates recommended by stockholders in accordance with the policy and procedures set forth above. The Compensation Committee has not used an independent search firm to identify nominees.
40
In evaluating potential nominees, the Compensation Committee determines whether the candidate is eligible and qualified for service on the Board of Directors by evaluating the candidate under the selection criteria, which are discussed in more detail below. If such individual fulfills these criteria, the Compensation Committee will conduct a check of the individual’s background and interview the candidate to further assess the qualities of the prospective nominee and the contributions he or she would make to the Board of Directors.
Consideration of Recommendation by Stockholders. It is the policy of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company to consider director candidates recommended by stockholders who appear to be qualified to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee may choose not to consider an unsolicited recommendation if no vacancy exists on the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee does not perceive a need to increase the size of the Board of Directors. To avoid the unnecessary use of the Compensation Committee’s resources, the Compensation Committee will consider only those director candidates recommended in accordance with the procedures set forth below.
Shareholder Proposal Procedures. To submit a recommendation of a director candidate to the Compensation Committee, a stockholder should submit the following information in writing, addressed to the Chairperson of the Compensation Committee, care of the Corporate Secretary, at the main office of the Company:
1.
|
The name of the person recommended as a director candidate;
|
2.
|
All information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
|
3.
|
The written consent of the person being recommended as a director candidate to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected;
|
4.
|
The name and address of the stockholder making the recommendation, as they appear on the Company’s books; provided, however, that if the stockholder is not a registered holder of the Company’s common stock, the stockholder should submit his or her name and address along with a current written statement from the record holder of the shares that reflects ownership of the Company’s common stock; and
|
5.
|
A statement disclosing whether such stockholder is acting with or on behalf of any other person and, if applicable, the identity of such person.
|
In order for a director candidate to be considered for nomination at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders, when and if one is held, or to be considered prior to a written consent vote on director nominees, the recommendation must be received by the Nominating and Compensation Committee at least 30 days before the date of the annual meeting or, in the case of an information statement and no shareholder meeting being held, prior to April 1st.
41
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY
CURRENT OFFICERS. The current officers of the Company are:
1.
|
Stewart Wallach, age 63, was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company on April 23, 2007. Mr. Wallach is also the senior executive officer and director of Capstone.
|
2.
|
Gerry McClinton, age 59, is the Interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer and a director (appointed as a director on February 5, 2008) of the Company. Mr. McClinton is also a senior executive of Capstone.
|
3.
|
Aimee Gaudet, age 36, was appointed on January 16, 2013 as Company Secretary. She is also Executive Assistant to Stewart Wallach at CAPC.
|
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of securities ownership and changes in such ownership with the SEC. Executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent shareholders also are required by rules promulgated by the SEC to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely upon a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company or other written representations, the Company believes that all of Section 16(a) filing requirements were met during fiscal year 2014 by the Company’s directors and officers.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Executive Compensation Philosophy, Strategy and Objectives
The principal objectives of our senior officer compensation are to attract, motivate and retain the services of qualified officers who can lead the Company to achieve its business goals and enhance public shareholder value. The Company’s business goals are to achieve consistent profitability in operations and attain long-term profitability. Our approach is based on the following compensation philosophies:
1.
|
Align Shareholder and Officer Interests: Besides a base salary sufficient to attract qualified personnel, we provide non-qualified, long term stock options to tie the interests of our officers with the interests of the shareholders in long term profitability of the Company.
|
2.
|
Performance Based Compensation. Our grant of options and stock are designed to reward and encourage officers to achieve Company goals in financial and business performance.
|
42
Competitive Market
We have one independent director and also professional advisors who check the compensation level of other microcap companies in consumer goods from time to time to ensure that our compensation levels are reasonable. In 2014, we did benchmark compensation. Previously, compensation was last benchmarked in 2008. The independent director and outside legal counsel reviewed compensation of executives at several peer companies holding equivalent positions or having similar responsibilities as our senior officers. The peer companies utilized in the 2014 analysis were engaged in some segment of consumer goods and were microcap companies, some having less or greater resources and operating income than our company.
Role of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee operates independently of management and currently consists of the sole independent director, Jeffrey Guzy, who is independent under applicable SEC standards and is an “Outside Director” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”). The Compensation Committee receives recommendations from our Chief Executive Officer regarding the compensation of the senior officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer).
The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing and implementing our executive compensation plans as well as continually monitoring adherence to and effectiveness of those plans, including:
·
|
reviewing the structure and competitiveness of our executive compensation programs to attract and retain superior executive officers, motivate officers to achieve business goals and objectives, and align the interests of executive officers with the long-term interests of our shareholders;
|
·
|
reviewing and evaluating annually the performance of officers in light of company goals and objectives and approving their compensation packages, including base salaries (if at issue or in consideration), long-term incentive and stock based compensation and perquisites;
|
·
|
monitoring the effectiveness of the Company’s sole incentive stock option plan and approving annual financial targets for officers; and
|
·
|
determining whether to award incentive bonuses that qualify as “performance-based compensation” for executive officers whose compensation is covered by Code Section 162(m), the elements of such compensation, whether performance goals have been attained and, if appropriate, certifying in writing prior to payment of such compensation that the performance goals have been met.
|
Role of Management
The Company believes that it is important to have our Chief Executive Officer’s input in the design of compensation programs for his direct reports. The Chief Executive Officer reviews his direct reports’ compensation programs annually with the Committee, evaluating the adequacy relative to the marketplace, inflation, internal equity, external competitiveness, business and motivational challenges and opportunities facing the Company and its executives. In particular, he considers base salary a critical component of compensation to remain competitive and retain his executives, especially when market factors, such as freight demand, lag behind supply of industry-wide capacity and meeting pre-established goals for an annual incentive bonus have not been attainable for several years. All final decisions regarding compensation for the Chief Executive Officer’s direct reports listed in the Summary Compensation Table are made by the Compensation Committee. The Chief Executive Officer does not make recommendations with regard to his own compensation.
43
Role of the Compensation Consultant
While we may consult industry sources on compensation for executives, we have not engaged a consultant to analyze our compensation levels.
Executive Compensation Components
For 2014, the principal components of compensation for each officer were:
·
|
base salary;
|
·
|
annual incentive;
|
·
|
long-term incentive compensation (restricted stock awards); and
|
·
|
perquisites and other benefits.
|
Our company endeavors to strike an appropriate balance between long-term and current cash compensation. The current executives are key to the ability of the Company to conduct its business because of their individual experience and relationships in our current business line. Their compensation reflects their individual value to the ability of the Company to conduct its current business.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Set forth below is the approved compensation of each officer for each year of their agreements in following years - 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009. Each of the officers served as a director of the Company in fiscal year 2014 but they were not compensated for such service.
Name &
Principal Position
|
Year
|
Salary
$
|
Bonus (6)
$
|
Stock Awards
$
|
Non-Equity
Incentives (7)
$
|
All
Other
$
|
TOTAL
$
|
Stewart Wallach
|
2014
|
$301,521
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
$301,521
|
Chief Executive
|
2013
|
$287,163
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
$287,163
|
Officer (1,2,4,5)
|
2012
|
$273,488
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
$273,488
|
2011
|
$260,465
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
$260,465
|
|
2010
|
$248,060
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
$248,060
|
|
2009
|
$236,250
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
$236,250
|
|
Gerry McClinton
|
2014
|
$201,014
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
$201,014
|
Operating Officer
|
2013
|
$191,442
|
-0
|
-0
|
-0
|
-0
|
$191,442
|
& CFO (1,3,6,7)
|
2012
|
$182,325
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
$182,325
|
2010
|
$173,643
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
$173,643
|
|
2010
|
$165,375
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
$165,375
|
|
2009
|
$157,500
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
$157,500
|
Footnotes:
(1)
|
Each Employment Agreement provides for an annual minimum salary increase of 5%.
|
(2)
|
Although approved for a salary of $301,521, Stewart Wallach earned $287,163 in 2014.
|
(3)
|
Although approved for a salary of $201,014, Gerry McClinton earned $191,442 in 2014.
|
(4)
|
Although approved for a salary of $260,465, Stewart Wallach took a voluntary salary reduction and earned $180,000 in 2011.
|
(5)
|
Although approved for a salary of $248,060, Stewart Wallach took a voluntary salary reduction and earned $186,923 in 2010.
|
(6)
|
Although approved for a salary of $173,643, Gerry McClinton took a voluntary salary reduction and earned $146,250 in 2011.
|
(7)
|
Although approved for a salary of $165,375, Gerry McClinton took a voluntary salary reduction and earned $124,615. In 2010.
|
(8)
|
The Company has no non-equity incentive plans.
|
(9)
|
The Company has no established bonus plan. Any bonus payments are made ad hoc upon recommendation of Compensation Committee and approval by Board of Directors. Bonuses are only paid on a performance basis.
|
44
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
On March 1, 2013, the Company amended the terms of the employment agreements for Stewart Wallach and Gerry McClinton, extending the agreement term to February 5, 2016. These amended agreements supersede any existing employment agreements and are the only employment agreements with Company officers:
(1) Stewart Wallach, Chief Executive Officer and President. The 2008 employment agreement provides for an annual salary of $225,000 with a minimum annual increase in base salary of 5%. Mr. Wallach may, at his option, elect to receive restricted shares of Common Stock in lieu of cash compensation, which shares are subject to piggyback registration rights. In 2014, Mr. Wallach was entitled to a base salary of $301,521, however he earned $287,163. In 2013, Mr. Wallach was entitled and earned a base salary of $287,163
Mr. Wallach was entitled to and earned $273,489 in base salary for fiscal year 2012. Mr. Wallach was entitled to a base salary of $260,463 for fiscal year 2011; however, his actual base salary in fiscal year 2011 was $180,000 because of a voluntary salary reduction for 2011. Mr. Wallach was entitled to a base salary of $248,062 for fiscal year 2010; however, his actual base salary in fiscal year 2010 was $186,923 because of a voluntary salary reduction for 2010.
(2) Gerry McClinton, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The 2008 employment agreement provides for an annual salary of $150,000 with a minimum annual increase in base salary of 5%. Mr. McClinton may, at his option, elect to receive restricted shares of Common Stock in lieu of cash compensation, which shares are subject to piggyback registration rights. . In 2014, Mr. McClinton was entitled to a base salary of $201,014 but earned $191,442. In 2013, Mr. McClinton was entitled to and earned a base salary of $191,442. In 2012, Mr. McClinton was entitled to and earned $182,326. Mr. McClinton was entitled to a base salary of $173,643 in fiscal year 2011; however, his actual base salary in fiscal year 2011 was $146,250 because of a voluntary salary reduction for 2011. Mr. McClinton was entitled to a base salary of $165,375 in fiscal year 2010; however, his actual base salary in fiscal year 2010 was $124,615 because of a voluntary salary reduction for 2010.
Common Provisions in both Employment Agreements: The following provisions are contained in each of the above employment agreements:
If the officer’s employment is terminated by death or disability, the Company is obligated to pay to the officer’s estate or the officer, as the case may be, a lump sum payment equal to (a) the officer’s base salary through the termination date, plus a pro rata portion of the officer bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurred and (b) a lump sum payment equivalent to the sum of (i) one-year’s salary at the annual base salary rate officer was earning as of the date of termination; (ii) the bonus payment(s) officer received in the preceding fiscal year; and (iii) the cost of officer’s health and dental insurance premiums for the preceding fiscal year.
If the employment is terminated without cause by the Company or for “good reason” (as defined in the employment agreement) by the officer, then the Company must pay to the officer’s estate or the officer, a lump-sum payment equal to the greater of: (aa) the sum of (i) one-year’s salary at the annual base salary rate that the officer was earning as of the date of termination and (ii) the bonus payment(s) officer received in the preceding fiscal year; and (bb) the sum of (i) the base salary that the officer would have earned had he remained employed through the remainder of the employment period and (ii) the bonus payment(s) officer received in the preceding fiscal year multiplied by the number of years remaining in the employment period (and adjusted on a pro rata basis for any partial year remaining in the employment period.
45
On March 1st, 2013 ,the employment agreements which have a three-year term, have been amended for the second time, to extend the term for an additional 3 years (from February 5, 2013 until February 5, 2016). These employment agreements can be extended by mutual consent of the parties for up to three (3) additional years. Previously, on February 1, 2011, the employment agreements for Stewart Wallach and Gerry McClinton were extended to February 5, 2013, unanimously approved by the Board of Directors on February 1, 2011. The employment agreements have an anti-competition provision for 18 months after the end of employment.
The above summary of the employment agreements is qualified by reference to the actual employment agreements, which are filed as exhibits to the Form 10K by the Company for fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 (as filed by the Company with the Commission on March 26, 2015).
SUMMARY TABLE OF OPTION GRANTS TO OFFICERS OF COMPANY
Name
|
No. of Shares
Underlying
|
% of Total Options
Granted Employees
in 2014
|
Expiration
Date
|
Restricted
Stock Grants
|
No. Shares
underlying Options
Options Granted
in 2014
|
Stewart Wallach
|
24,498,039
|
-0-
|
4/27/2017
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
Gerry McClinton
|
26,630,000
|
-0-
|
4/27/2017
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
OTHER COMPENSATION (1)
NAME/POSITION
|
YEAR
|
SEVERANCE
PACKAGE
|
CAR
ALLOWANCE
|
CO. PAID
SERVICES
|
TRAVEL
LODGING
|
TOTAL($)
|
Stewart Wallach
|
2014
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
Chief Executive
|
2013
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
Officer
|
2012
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
Gerry McClinton
|
2014
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
Chief Operating
|
2013
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
Officer & Chief
|
2012
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
Financial Officer
|
Footnotes:
(1) There were no 401(k) match by the Company and no medical supplemental payments by the Company in any of the years specified.
Outstanding Equity Awards for Year Ended 2014 Table
OPTIONS (1)
NAME
|
Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options
|
Option Exercise
Price
|
Option
Expiration Date
|
Stewart Wallach
|
24,498,039
|
.029
|
4/27/2017
|
Gerry McClinton
|
32,250,000
|
.029
|
4/27/2017
|
Footnotes:
(1) The Company does not have any stock awards for the years specified.
46
2014 OPTION EXERCISES AND VESTED OPTIONS
Name
|
Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
|
Value Realized on
Exercise
|
Stewart Wallach
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
Gerry McClinton
|
-0-
|
-0-
|
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
SALARY
SEVERANCE
|
BONUS
SEVERANCE
|
GROSS UP
TAXES
|
BENEFIT
COMPENSATION
|
GRAND TOTAL
TOTAL
|
|
Stewart Wallach
|
$316,597
|
-0-
|
$12,000
|
$25,000
|
$353,597
|
Gerry McClinton
|
$211,065
|
-0-
|
$12,000
|
$25,000
|
$248,065
|
Indemnification.
CAPC has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers. Under these agreements, the CAPC has agreed to indemnify such individuals to the fullest extent permitted by law against liabilities that arise by reason of their status as directors or officers and to advance expenses incurred by such individuals in connection with related legal proceedings. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount of payments the CAPC could be required to make under these agreements due to the limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each claim. However, the CAPC maintains directors and officers liability insurance coverage to reduce its exposure to such obligations, and payments made under these agreements historically have not been material.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
VOTING RIGHTS AND SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT:
The sole class of voting Common Stock of the Company as of March 23, 2015, that are issued and outstanding is the Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, or "Common Stock". The table below sets forth, as of March 23, 2015, (“Record Date”), certain information with respect to the Common Stock beneficially owned by (i) each Director, nominee and executive officer of the Company; (i) each person who owns beneficially more than 5% of the common stock; and (iii) all Directors, nominees and executive officers as a group. The table below also shows ownership as of the Record Date of shares of Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, $0.10 par value, or the "Preferred Stock," which shares have no voting rights and shows ownership as of the Record Date. The table also shows ownership as of the Record Date of shares of Series C Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value, or the Preferred Stock which shares have no voting rights. There were 654,010,532shares of Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date and 1,000 shares of Preferred C Stock were outstanding as of March 23, 2015.
47
OWNERSHIP OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
|
|||||||
as of December 31, 2014
|
|||||||
ALL OPTION WARRANT SHARES
|
|||||||
NAME, ADDRESS & TITLE
|
STOCK OWNERSHIP
|
PERCENTAGE OF STOCK OWNERSHIP
|
STOCK OWNERSHIP AFTER CONVERSION OF ALL OPTIONS & WARRANTS PLUS THOSE EXERCISEABLE WITHIN THE NEXT 60 DAYS
|
% OF STOCK OWNERSHIP AFTER CONVERSION OF ALL OPTIONS & WARRANTS PLUS THOSE EXERCISEABLE WITHIN THE NEXT 60 DAYS
|
VESTED
|
EXPIRED
|
NOT VESTED
|
Stewart Wallach, CEO, 350 Jim Moran Blvd, Suite 120, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 (2)
|
147,618,822
|
22.6%
|
172,116,861
|
23.6%
|
24,498,039
|
0
|
0
|
Gerry McClinton, CFO, COO & Director, 350 Jim Moran Blvd, Suite 120, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 (3)
|
504,949
|
0.1%
|
32,754,949
|
4.5%
|
32,250,000
|
0
|
0
|
Jeff Postal, Director, 350 Jim Moran Blvd, Suite 120, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 (5)
|
128,381,748
|
19.6%
|
133,381,748
|
18.3%
|
5,000,000
|
4,000,000
|
0
|
Aimee Gaudet, Secretary, 350 Jim Moran Blvd, Suite 120, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 (11)
|
0
|
0.0%
|
150,000
|
0.0%
|
150,000
|
0
|
0
|
Jeff Guzy, Director,Director, 3130 19th St North, Arlington, VA 22201 (7)
|
832,000
|
0.1%
|
6,832,000
|
0.9%
|
6,000,000
|
0
|
0
|
Larry Sloven, Director, 350 Jim Moran Blvd, Suite 120, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 (8)
|
792,000
|
0.1%
|
3,792,000
|
0.5%
|
3,000,000
|
0
|
0
|
TOTAL ALL OFFICERS & DIRECTORS AS A GROUP
|
278,129,519
|
42.5%
|
349,027,558
|
47.9%
|
70,898,039
|
4,000,000
|
0
|
Notes to Table
|
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
|
|
(2) Total shares includes 22,733,333 million shares that Mr. Wallach has the current right to acquire under a non-qualified stock option and 1,764,706 shares of Common Stock issuable under the warrants issued to Mr. Wallach as part of his $100,000 investment in Company’s 2007 private placement under Rule 506 of restricted shares of Common Stock. Mr. Wallach was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company on April 23, 2007.
|
|
(3) Total shares include 32,250,000 shares of Common Stock currently available for purchase under a non-qualified stock option agreement dated April 27, 2007.
|
48
The following table sets forth beneficial ownership of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock of members of Company management as of March 3, 2015.
Name
|
Number of Shares of Preferred
|
% of Shares
|
Number of Outstanding Shares of Common Stock issuable Upon Conversion of Series C Stock
|
% of Shares of Common Stock Owned upon Conversion of Series C Stock
|
Involve, LLC
|
1,000
|
100%
|
67,979,425
|
8.4%
|
c/o Harris & Cramer, LLP
|
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
The Company is a "controlled company" under typical stock exchange corporate governance rules, that is a company where 50% or more of the voting power is owned by a person or a group, and does not currently have to meet requirements for a board of directors with a majority of "independent directors." Currently, only Jeffrey Guzy qualifies as an "independent director" under the listing standards of most stock exchanges or quotation systems. No other director qualifies as an "independent director" under those rules because they are officers of the Company or have business relationships with the Company.
The CAPC Board adopted a written policy for approval of transactions between the Company and its directors, director nominees, executive officers, greater than 5% beneficial owners and their respective immediate family members. The policy governs transaction in which the value exceeds or is expected to exceed $120,000 in a single calendar year.
The policy provides that the Audit Committee reviews transactions subject to the policy and determines whether or not to approve or ratify those transactions. The Audit Committee takes into account, among other factors it deems appropriate, the following factors:
·
|
Benefits derived by the related person from the transaction versus the benefits derived by the Company;
|
·
|
Total value of the transaction;
|
·
|
Whether the transaction was undertaken in the ordinary course of business of the Company; and
|
·
|
Were the terms and conditions of the transaction usual and customary and commercially reasonable.
|
The Audit Committee does not have any policies on expedited or pre-approval of certain routine related person transactions.
49
From time to time, the Company borrows working capital on a short term basis, usually with maturity dates of less than a year, from Company directors and officers. The Company believes that these working capital loans are commercially reasonable, especially in light of the inability of the Company to obtain such short term financing from traditional funding sources. A summary of the current working capital loans from Company officers and directors is set forth below The loans from Company directors or officers are usually convertible into shares of Company stock or are converted into shares of Company stock in order to preserve the cash reserves or cash flow from operations of the Company for payment of expenses that are necessary to maintain the Company operations. Such conversions are usually approved by the disinterested directors of the Company’s board of directors.
Name of Lending Officer or Director
|
Amount of Principal of Loan
|
Interest Rate
|
Maturity Date
|
Principal Balance as of March 3, 2015
|
Stewart Wallach
|
$250,000
|
8%
|
04/01/2015
|
$250,000
|
Jeffrey Postal
|
$250,000
|
8%
|
04/01/2015
|
$250,000
|
Stewart Wallach
|
$209,473
|
8%
|
04/01/2015
|
$209,473
|
JWTR Holdings LLC
|
$209,473
|
8%
|
04/01/2015
|
$209,473
|
Stewart Wallach
|
$75,000
|
8%
|
04/01/2015
|
$75,000
|
Jeffrey Postal
|
$100,000
|
8%
|
04/01/2015
|
$100,000
|
Postal Capital Funding
|
$498,000
|
8%
|
04/01/2015
|
$498,000
|
Total
|
$1,591,946
|
$1,591,946
|
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees & Services
Robison Hill & Company withdrew as our auditors in December 2014 due to a reduction in its manpower. The following is a summary of the fees billed to us by Robison, Hill & Company for professional services rendered for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
2014
|
2013
|
|
Audit Fees
|
$61,760
|
$60,310
|
Tax Fees
|
$3,000
|
$2,850
|
Total
|
$64,760
|
$63,160
|
The following is a summary of the fees billed to us by Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. for professional services rendered for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
2014
|
2013
|
|
Audit Fees
|
$49,000
|
$0
|
Tax Fees
|
$3,000
|
$0
|
Total
|
$52,000
|
$0
|
Audit Fees. Consists of fees billed for professional services rendered for the audits of our consolidated financial statements, reviews of our interim consolidated financial statements included in quarterly reports, services performed in connection with filings with the Commission and related comfort letters and other services that are normally provided by the Accounting Audit firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or Engagements.
Tax Fees. Consists of fees billed for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. These services include assistance regarding federal, state and local tax compliance and consultation in connection with various transactions and acquisitions.
50
AUDIT COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL OF AUDIT AND PERMISSIBLE NON-AUDIT SERVICES OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Audit Committee is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditors. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services as allowed by law or regulation. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specifically approved amount. The independent auditors and management are required to periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent auditors in accordance with this pre-approval and the fees incurred to date. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis.
The Audit Committee pre-approved 100% of the Company's 2014 audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees, and all other fees to the extent the services occurred after the effective date of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s final pre-approval rules.
Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits, and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Report.
1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements |
Page
|
Report of Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. Independent Registered Public Accountants
|
F - 1
|
Report of Robison, Hill & Co., APC, Independent Registered Public Accountants
|
F - 2
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31, 2014 and 2013
|
F - 3
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
|
F - 4
|
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
|
F - 5
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
|
F - 6
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F - 7
|
2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The following financial statement schedules required by Regulation S-X are included herein. All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
3. EXHIBITS
Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K. Pursuant to the Instructions to Exhibits, certain instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt securities of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are not filed because the total amount of securities authorized under any such instrument does not exceed 10 percent of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. A copy of such instrument will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
51
2.1.1.1
|
Stock Purchase Agreement dated September 15, 2006, by and between CHDT Corporation, and Capstone Industries, Inc. +++
|
3.1
|
Articles of Incorporation of CHDT Corp.*
|
3.1.1
|
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Capstone Companies, Inc. ∞
|
3.2
|
By-laws of the Company***
|
3.3
|
Certificate of Designation of the Preferences, Limitations, and Relative Rights of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock of CHDT Corp. ****
|
10.4
|
Purchase Agreement, dated December 1, 2007, by Capstone Industries, Inc. and Magnet World, Ltd. For sale of operating assets of Souvenir Direct, Inc. ++++
|
10.6
|
2005 Equity Plan of CHDT Corp.^^
|
10.7
|
2011 Employment Agreement by Stewart Wallach and CHDT Corp.^^
|
10.8
|
2011 Employment Agreement by James Gerald (Gerry) McClinton and CHDT Corp. ^^
|
10.9
|
2011 Employment Agreement by Howard Ullman and CHDT Corp.^^
|
10.10
|
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option+
|
10.11
|
Non-Employee Director Compensation^^
|
10.12
|
Working Capital Loan Agreement, dated April 1, 2012, between Capstone Companies, Inc. and Postal Capital Funding, L.L.C. ∞∞
|
14
|
Code of Ethics Policy, dated December 31, 2006+++++
|
31.1
|
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Stewart Wallach, Chief Executive Officer^
|
31.2
|
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Gerry McClinton, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer^
|
32.1
|
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by Stewart Wallach, Chief Executive Officer. ^
|
32.2
|
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Gerry McClinton, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer^
|
*
|
Incorporated by reference to Annex G to the Special Meeting Proxy Statement, Dated April 15, 2004, filed by CHDT Corporation with the Commission on April 20, 2004.
|
**
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(I) to the Form 8-K filed by CHDT Corporation with the Commission on July 10, 2007.
|
***
|
Incorporated by reference to Annex H the Special Meeting Proxy Statement, Dated April 15, 2004, filed by CHDT Corporation with the Commission on April 20, 2004.
|
****
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Form 8-K filed by CHDT Corp. With the Commission on November 6, 2007.
|
+
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Form 8-K filed by CHDT Corporation with the Commission on January 31, 2006.
|
++
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Form 8-K filed by CHDT Corporation with the Commission on January 26, 2007.
|
+++
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Form 8-K filed by CHDT Corporation with the Commission on September 18, 2006.
|
++++
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99 to the Form 8-K filed by CHDT Corp. With the Commission on December 3, 2007.
|
+++++
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and filed by CHDT Corp. With the Commission on April 17, 2007.
|
∞
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed by Capstone Companies, Inc. with the Commission on July 14, 2009.
|
∞∞
|
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed by Capstone Industries, Inc. with the Commission on April 6, 2012.
|
^^
|
Filed as an exhibit to the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.
|
^
|
Filed Herein.
|
(b) Reports on Form 8-K filed.
The following reports were filed during the 2014 year: Form 8-K, January 7, 2014 (Resignation of Laurie Holtz); Form 8-K, March 28, 2014 (Conducting a Webcast/Teleconference - Financial results of fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2013); Form 8-K, April 3, 2014 (Webcast/Teleconference - Financial results of fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2013); Form 8-K, June 5, 2014 (Manufacturing); Form 8-K, July 24, 2014 (Conducting a Webcast/Teleconference - Strategic Initiatives/Preliminary 2nd Quarter); Form 8-K, August 6, 2014 (Webcast/Teleconference - Strategic Initiatives/Preliminary 2nd Quarter); Form 8-K, August 13, 2014 (Press Release for 2nd Quarter Financial Results); Form 8-K, October 31, 2014 (Conducting a Webcast/Teleconference - Financial results of third quarter);Form 8-K, November 5, 2014 (Information Statement);Form 8-K, November 26, 2014 (Webcast/Teleconference - Financial results of third quarter) Form 8-K, December 9, 2014 (Auditors).
52
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Capstone Companies, Inc. has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Broward County, Florida on this 26th day of March 2015.
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC.
Dated: March 26, 2015
By
/S/ Stewart Wallach
Chief Executive Officer and Director
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of Capstone Companies, Inc. and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ Stewart Wallach
Stewart Wallach
Principal Executive Officer
Director and Chief Executive Officer
March 26, 2015
/s/ Gerry McClinton
Gerry McClinton
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Operating Officer and Director
March 26, 2015
/s/ Jeffrey Guzy
Jeffrey Guzy
Director
March 26, 2015
/s/ Jeffrey Postal
Jeffrey Postal
Director
March 26, 2015
/s/ Larry Sloven
Larry Sloven
Director
March 26, 2015
53
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements |
Page
|
Report of Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. Independent Registered Public Accountants
|
F - 1
|
Report of Robison, Hill & Co., APC, Independent Registered Public Accountants
|
F - 2
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31, 2014 and 2013
|
F - 3
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
|
F - 4
|
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
|
F - 5
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
|
F - 6
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F - 7
|
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Capstone Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the then year ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Capstone Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.
Boca Raton, Florida
March 26, 2015
F - 1
ROBISON, HILL & CO.
|
Certified Public Accountants
|
|||
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
|
||||
DAVID O. SEAL, CPA
|
||||
W. DALE WESTENSKOW, CPA
|
||||
BARRY D. LOVELESS, CPA
|
||||
STEPHEN M. HALLEY, CPA
|
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
Capstone Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Capstone Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2013. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Capstone Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ Robison, Hill & Co.
Certified Public Accountants
Salt Lake City, Utah
March 27, 2014
F - 2
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
||||||||
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
||||||||
December 31 ,
|
December 31,
|
|||||||
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
Assets:
|
||||||||
Current Assets:
|
||||||||
Cash
|
$ | 313,856 | $ | 436,592 | ||||
Accounts receivable - net
|
977,597 | 6,927,238 | ||||||
Advances
|
14,456 | - | ||||||
Inventory
|
128,984 | 298,099 | ||||||
Prepaid expense
|
358,046 | 1,082,784 | ||||||
Total Current Assets
|
1,792,939 | 8,744,713 | ||||||
Fixed Assets:
|
||||||||
Computer equipment & software
|
12,272 | 66,448 | ||||||
Machinery and equipment
|
299,693 | 667,096 | ||||||
Furniture and fixtures
|
5,665 | 5,665 | ||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation
|
(223,589 | ) | (661,210 | ) | ||||
Total Fixed Assets
|
94,041 | 77,999 | ||||||
Other Non-current Assets:
|
||||||||
Product development costs - net
|
- | 19,664 | ||||||
Deposit
|
12,193 | - | ||||||
Investment (AC Kinetics)
|
500,000 | 500,000 | ||||||
Goodwill
|
1,936,020 | 1,936,020 | ||||||
Total Other Non-current Assets
|
2,448,213 | 2,455,684 | ||||||
Total Assets
|
$ | 4,335,193 | $ | 11,278,396 | ||||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
|
||||||||
Current Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
$ | 644,629 | $ | 1,931,527 | ||||
Note payable - Sterling Factors
|
286,945 | 4,237,144 | ||||||
Notes and loans payable to related parties - current maturities
|
1,936,679 | 3,220,074 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities
|
2,868,253 | 9,388,745 | ||||||
Commitments and Contingent Liablities (Note 5)
|
||||||||
Stockholders' Equity:
|
||||||||
Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $.001 per share, authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued -0- shares
|
- | - | ||||||
Preferred Stock, Series B-1, par value $.0001 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares, issued -0- shares
|
- | - | ||||||
Preferred Stock, Series C, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 1,000 shares, issued 1,000 shares
|
1,000 | 1,000 | ||||||
Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share, authorized 850,000,000 shares,
654,010,532 & 657,760,532 shares issued at December 31, 2014 & December 31, 2013
|
65,401 | 65,777 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital
|
7,187,058 | 7,172,059 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit
|
(5,786,519 | ) | (5,349,185 | ) | ||||
Total Stockholders' Equity
|
1,466,940 | 1,889,651 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
|
$ | 4,335,193 | $ | 11,278,396 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
|
F - 3
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
||||||||
For the Years Ended
|
||||||||
December 31,
|
||||||||
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
Revenues
|
$ | 13,624,518 | $ | 14,593,826 | ||||
Cost of Sales
|
(10,842,813 | ) | (10,983,364 | ) | ||||
Gross Profit
|
2,781,705 | 3,610,462 | ||||||
Operating Expenses:
|
||||||||
Sales and marketing
|
315,566 | 489,791 | ||||||
Compensation
|
1,406,709 | 972,922 | ||||||
Professional fees
|
189,734 | 326,077 | ||||||
Product Development
|
374,245 | 225,754 | ||||||
Other general and administrative
|
604,823 | 479,298 | ||||||
Total Operating Expenses
|
2,891,077 | 2,493,842 | ||||||
Net Operating Income (Loss)
|
(109,372 | ) | 1,116,620 | |||||
Other Income (Expense):
|
||||||||
Interest expense
|
(327,962 | ) | (389,486 | ) | ||||
Total Other Income (Expense)
|
(327,962 | ) | (389,486 | ) | ||||
Income (Loss) Before Tax Provision
|
(437,334 | ) | 727,134 | |||||
Provision for Income Tax
|
- | - | ||||||
Net Income (Loss)
|
$ | (437,334 | ) | $ | 727,134 | |||
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
|
||||||||
Basic
|
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | ||||
Diluted
|
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | ||||
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
|
||||||||
Basic
|
654,524,231 | 657,503,683 | ||||||
Diluted
|
654,524,231 | 813,450,260 | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
|
F - 4
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred Stock
|
Preferred Stock
|
Preferred Stock
|
Additional
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series A
|
Series B
|
Series C
|
Common Stock
|
Paid-In
|
Retained
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
|
Par Value
|
Shares
|
Par Value
|
Shares
|
Par Value
|
Shares
|
Par Value
|
Capital
|
Deficit
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012
|
- | $ | - | - | $ | - | 1,000 | $ | 1,000 | 655,885,532 | $ | 65,589 | $ | 7,137,933 | $ | (6,076,319 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock options for compensation
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 20,250 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock compensation
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | 1,875,000 | 188 | 13,875 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 727,134 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2013
|
- | - | - | - | 1,000 | 1,000 | 657,760,532 | 65,777 | 7,172,058 | (5,349,185 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock options for compensation
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 43,500 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock Cancellation
|
(3,750,000 | ) | (376 | ) | (28,500 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | (437,334 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2014
|
- | $ | - | - | $ | - | 1,000 | $ | 1,000 | 654,010,532 | $ | 65,401 | $ | 7,187,058 | $ | (5,786,519 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
|
F - 5
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
||||||||
For the Years Ended
|
||||||||
December 31,
|
||||||||
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Continuing operations:
|
||||||||
Net Income (Loss)
|
$ | (437,334 | ) | $ | 727,134 | |||
Adjustments necessary to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
|
||||||||
Stock issued for expenses
|
- | 14,064 | ||||||
Stock cancellation
|
(28,877 | ) | - | |||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
81,220 | 95,756 | ||||||
Compensation expense from stock options
|
43,500 | 20,250 | ||||||
Accrued sales allowance
|
155,346 | - | ||||||
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable
|
5,794,295 | (4,253,683 | ) | |||||
(Increase) decrease in inventory
|
169,115 | 286,271 | ||||||
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses
|
724,738 | (731,781 | ) | |||||
(Increase) decrease in other assets
|
(14,456 | ) | (23,972 | ) | ||||
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
(1,286,898 | ) | 817,361 | |||||
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest on notes payable
|
(63,395 | ) | 104,643 | |||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
|
5,137,254 | (2,943,957 | ) | |||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Investment
|
- | (500,000 | ) | |||||
Deposits
|
(12,193 | ) | - | |||||
Purchase of property and equipment
|
(77,598 | ) | (12,695 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
|
(89,791 | ) | (512,695 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
Proceeds from notes payable
|
14,700,000 | 12,737,405 | ||||||
Repayments of notes payable
|
(18,650,199 | ) | (9,745,420 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from notes and loans payable to related parties
|
950,000 | 4,538,000 | ||||||
Repayments of notes and loans payable to related parties
|
(2,170,000 | ) | (4,048,000 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
|
(5,170,199 | ) | 3,481,985 | |||||
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
(122,736 | ) | 25,333 | |||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
|
436,592 | 411,259 | ||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year
|
$ | 313,856 | $ | 436,592 | ||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
|
||||||||
Cash paid during the period for:
|
||||||||
Interest
|
$ | 391,313 | $ | 284,842 | ||||
Franchise and income taxes
|
$ | 8,516 | $ | - | ||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||||||
None
|
||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
|
F - 6
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
This summary of accounting policies for Capstone Companies, Inc. (“CAPC” or the “Company”), a Florida corporation (formerly, “CHDT Corporation”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“Subsidiaries”) is presented to assist in understanding the Company's financial statements. The accounting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and have been consistently applied in the preparation of the financial statements.
Organization and Basis of Presentation
CAPC was initially incorporated September 18, 1986 under the laws of the State of Delaware under the name "Yorkshire Leveraged Group, Incorporated", and then changed its domicile to Colorado in 1989 by merging into a Colorado corporation, named "Freedom Funding, Inc." Freedom Funding, Inc. then changed its name to "CBQ, Inc." by amendment of its Articles of Incorporation on November 25, 1998. In May 2004, the Company changed its name from “CBQ, Inc.” to “China Direct Trading Corporation” as part of a reincorporation from the State of Colorado to the State of Florida. On May 7, 2007, the Company amended its charter to change its name from “China Direct Trading Corporation” to “CHDT Corporation.” This name change was effective as of July 16, 2007 for purposes of the change of its name on the OTC Bulletin Board. With the name change, the trading symbol was changed to “CHDO.” On June 6, 2012, the Company amended its charter to change its name from “CHDT Corporation” to “CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC.” This name change was effective as of July 6, 2012 for purposes of the change of its name on the OTC Bulletin Board. With the name change, the trading symbol was changed to “CAPC.”
In February 2004, the Company established a new subsidiary, initially named “China Pathfinder Fund, L.L.C.”, a Florida limited liability company. During 2005, the name was changed to “Overseas Building Supply, LLC” (“OBS”) to reflect its shift in business lines from business development consulting services in China for North American companies to trading Chinese-made building supplies in South Florida. This business line was ended in fiscal year 2007 and OBS name was changed to “Black Box Innovations, L.L.C.” (“BBI”) on March 20, 2008. On January 31, 2012 “BBI” name was changed to “Capstone Lighting Technologies, L.L.C” (“CLT”).
On January 27, 2006, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement with Complete Power Solutions ("CPS") to acquire 51% of the member interests of CPS. CPS was organized by William Dato on September 20, 2004, as a Florida limited Liability Company to distribute power generators in Florida and adjacent states. The Company subsequently sold its 51% membership interest in CPS, pursuant to a Purchase and Settlement Agreement dated and effective as of December 31, 2006.
On September 13, 2006 the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Capstone Industries, Inc., a Florida corporation (Capstone). Capstone was incorporated in Florida on May 15, 1996 and is engaged primarily in the business of wholesaling low technology consumer products to distributors and retailers in the United States. Under the Stock Purchase Agreement the Company acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Capstone Common Stock, and recorded goodwill of $1,936,020.
On April 13, 2012 , the Company established a wholly owned subsidiary in Hong Kong, named “ Capstone International Hong Kong Ltd” (CIHK) which is engaged in selling the Companies products Internationally and provides other services such as, new product development, product sourcing, quality control, ocean freight logistics, product testing and factory certifications for the Companies other subsidiaries.
Nature of Business
Since the beginning of fiscal year 2007, the Company has been primarily engaged in the business of developing, marketing and selling consumer products through national and regional retailers and distributors, in North America. Capstone currently operates in six primary business segments: Induction Charged Power Failure Lights, LED Wall Plate Night Lights and Power Failure Lights, Motion Sensor Lights, Portable Book and Task Lights, Door Security Monitor and Wireless Remote Control Outlets. The Company’s products are typically manufactured in the Peoples’ Republic of China by third-party manufacturing companies.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents, to the extent the funds are not being held for investment purposes.
F - 7
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
An allowance for doubtful accounts is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for bad debts charged to earnings. The allowance for bad debt is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the receivables. This evaluation is inherently subjective and requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revisions as more information becomes available.
As of both December 31, 2014 and 2013, management has determined that the accounts receivable are fully collectible. As such, management has not recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts.
Accounts Receivable Pledged as Collateral
As of both December 31, 2014 and 2013, 100% of the accounts receivable serve as collateral for the Company’s notes payable.
Inventory
The Company's inventory, which is recorded at lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market, consists of finished goods for resale by Capstone, totaling $128,984 and $298,099 at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
Property and Equipment
Fixed assets are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated economic useful lives of the related assets as follows:
Computer equipment
|
3 - 7 years
|
Computer software
|
3 - 7 years
|
Machinery and equipment
|
3 - 7 years
|
Furniture and fixtures
|
3 - 7 years
|
Long-lived assets to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amount may not be recoverable. When required, impairment losses on assets to be held and used are recognized based on the fair value of the asset. Long-lived assets to be disposed of, if any, are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. No impairments losses were recognized by the Company during 2014 or 2013.
Upon sale or other disposition of property and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the determination of income or loss.
Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Major overhauls and betterments are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated economic useful lives.
Depreciation expense was $ 61,556 and $ 64,168 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Intangible assets acquired, either individually or with a group of other assets (but not those acquired in a business combination), are initially recognized and measured based on fair value. Goodwill acquired in business combinations is initially computed as the amount paid by the acquiring company in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired.
The cost of internally developing, maintaining and restoring intangible assets (including goodwill) that are not specifically identifiable, that have indeterminate lives, or that are inherent in a continuing business and related to an entity as a whole, are recognized as an expense when incurred.
An intangible asset (excluding goodwill) with a definite useful life is amortized; an intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is not amortized until its useful life is determined to be no longer indefinite. The remaining useful lives of intangible assets not being amortized are evaluated at least annually to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life.
F - 8
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
If and when an intangible asset is determined to no longer have an indefinite useful life, the asset shall then be amortized prospectively over its estimated remaining useful life and accounted for in the same manner as other intangibles that are subject to amortization.
An intangible asset (including goodwill) that is not subject to amortization shall be tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible assets with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of an intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Goodwill is not amortized.
It is the Company's policy to test for impairment no less than annually, or when conditions occur that may indicate impairment. The Company's intangible assets, which consist of goodwill of $1,936,020 recorded in connection with the Capstone acquisition, were tested for impairment and determined that no adjustment for impairment was necessary as of December 31, 2014, whereas the fair value of the intangible asset exceeds its carrying amount.
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic earnings per common share were computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. In periods where losses are reported, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding excludes common stock equivalents because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. At December 31, 2014, the total number of potentially dilutive common stock equivalents was 155,058,813.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 include the accounts of the parent entity and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Capstone Lighting Technologies, L.L.C., Capstone Industries, Inc. and Capstone International HK, LTD. All significant intra-entity transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
The results of operations attributable to subsidiaries are included in the consolidated results of operations beginning on the date on which the Company’s interest in a subsidiary was acquired.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying value of the Company's financial instruments, including cash, prepaid expenses, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 approximates their fair values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair value hierarchy under U.S. GAAP distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and an entity’s own assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels:
·
|
Level one — Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
|
·
|
Level two — Inputs other than level one inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
|
·
|
Level three — Unobservable inputs developed using estimates and assumptions, which are developed by the reporting entity and reflect those assumptions that a market participant would use.
|
Determining which category an asset or liability falls within the hierarchy requires significant judgment. We evaluate our hierarchy disclosures each quarter.
Cost Method of Accounting for Investment
Investments in equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values and do not qualify for consolidation or the equity method are carried at cost. Dividends received from those companies are included in other income. Dividends received in excess of the Company’s proportionate share of accumulated earnings are applied as a reduction of the cost of the investment. Other than temporary impairments to fair value are charged against current period income.
F - 9
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Revenue Recognition
Product sales are recognized when an agreement of sale exists, product delivery has occurred, pricing is final or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured.
Allowances for sales returns, rebates and discounts are recorded as a component of net sales in the period the allowances are recognized. In addition, accrued liabilities contained in the accompanying balance sheets include accruals for estimated amounts of credits to be issued in future years based on potentially defective product, other product returns and various allowances. These estimates could change significantly in the near term.
Advertising and Promotion
Advertising and promotion costs, including advertising, public relations, and trade show expenses, are expensed as incurred and included in sales and marketing expenses. Advertising and promotion expense was $156,389 and $67,591 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of both December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company has $275,019 in capitalized advertising costs included in prepaid expenses on the balance sheets.
Shipping and Handling
The Company’s shipping and handling costs, are included in sales and marketing expenses and amounted to $63,242 and $110,626 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities contained in the accompanying balance sheet include accruals for estimated amounts of credits to be issued in future years based on potentially defective products, other product returns and various allowances. These estimates could change significantly in the near term.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification, (“ASC”) 740“Income Taxes." ASC 740 requires recognition of deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future income tax consequences, based on enacted tax laws, of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The Company and its subsidiaries intend to file consolidated income tax returns.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock based compensation under the provisions of ASC 718, which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including employee stock options, based on estimated fair values.
ASC 718 requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of the grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expenses over the requisite service periods in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of the portion of share-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest during the period.
In conjunction with the adoption of ASC 718, the Company adopted the straight-line single option method of attributing the value of stock-based compensation expense. As stock-based compensation expense is recognized during the period is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it is subject to reduction for estimated forfeitures. ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. As of and for years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no material amounts subject to forfeiture.
F - 10
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
On April 27, 2007, the Company granted 130,500,000 stock options to two officers of the Company. The options vested at twenty percent per year beginning April 23, 2007. On May 1, 2008, 850,000 of the above stock options were canceled and on May 23, 2008, 74,666,667 of the above stock options were cancelled leaving 54,983,333 options outstanding. As of December 31, 2011, these options were fully vested and compensation expense fully recognized. These 54,983,333 options are set to expire April 27, 2017.
On May 1, 2007, the Company granted 4,000,000 stock options to five employees of the Company. The options vested over two years. During 2008 and 2009, 1,500,000 of the above options were canceled prior to vesting. As of December 31, 2009, these options were fully vested and compensation expense fully recognized. These 4,000,000 options are set to expire May 1, 2018.
On October 22, 2007, the Company granted 700,000 stock options to a business associate of the Company. The options vested over two years. As of December 31, 2009, these options were fully vested and compensation expense fully recognized. Of these 700,000 options, 350,000 are set to expire October 22, 2018, and 350,000 are set to expire October 22, 2019.
On January 10, 2008, the Company granted 1,000,000 stock options to an advisor of the Company. The options vested over one year. As of December 31, 2008, these options were fully vested and compensation expense fully recognized. These 1,000,000 options are set to expire January 10, 2018.
On February 5, 2008, the Company granted 3,650,000 stock options to four directors and one employee of the Company. The options vested over two years. As of December 31, 2009, these options were fully vested and compensation expense fully recognized. During 2010, 3,500,000 of the above options expired leaving 150,000 options outstanding. These 150,000 options are set to expire February 5, 2018.
On May 1, 2008, the Company granted 850,000 stock options to an employee of the Company. The options vested over two years. As of December 31, 2010, these options were fully vested and compensation expense fully recognized. These 850,000 options are set to expire May 1, 2019.
On April 23, 2010, the Company granted 4,800,000 stock options to four directors of the Company and the Company Secretary. The options vested in one year. As of December 31, 2011, these options were fully vested and compensation expense fully recognized. Of these 4,800,000 options, 4,500,000 are set to expire April 23, 2015 and 300,000 are set to expire June 15, 2020.
On July 1, 2011, the Company granted 4,650,000 stock options to four directors of the Company and the Company Secretary. The options vested in one year. As of December 31, 2012, these options were fully vested and compensation expense fully recognized. Of these 4,650,000 options, 4,500,000 are set to expire July 1, 2016, and 150,000 are set to expire July 1, 2021.
On August 6, 2012, the Company granted 4,650,000 stock options to four directors of the Company and the Company Secretary. The options vested in one year. Prior to vesting, the Company Secretary left the Company and 150,000 stock options were canceled leaving 4,500,000 options outstanding. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized an expense of $20,250. As of December 31, 2013, these options were fully vested and compensation expense fully recognized. These 4,500,000 options are set to expire August 6, 2017.
On January 1, 2014, the Company granted 3,150,000 stock options to two directors of the Company and the Company Secretary. The options vested in 8 months. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized compensation expense of $43,500. As of December 31, 2014 these options were fully vested and compensation expense fully recognized. Of these 3,150,000 options, 3,000,000 are set to expire July 1, 2019 and 150,000 are set to expire July 1, 2024.
The Company recognizes compensation expense paid with common stock and other equity instruments issued for assets and services received based upon the fair value of the assets/services or the equity instruments issued, whichever is more readily determined.
As of the date of this report the Company has not adopted a method to account for the tax effects of stock-based compensation pursuant to ASC 718 and related interpretations. However, whereas the Company has substantial net operating losses to offset future taxable income and its current deferred tax asset is completely reduced by the valuation allowance, no material tax effects are anticipated.
F - 11
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $ 43,500 and $20,250 respectively.
Recent Accounting Standards
In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2013-11, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists" ("ASU 2013-11"), an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows. To the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The assessment of whether a deferred tax asset is available is based on the unrecognized tax benefit and deferred tax asset that exist at the reporting date and should be made presuming disallowance of the tax position at the reporting date. For example, an entity should not evaluate whether the deferred tax asset expires before the statute of limitations on the tax position or whether the deferred tax asset may be used prior to the unrecognized tax benefit being settled. ASU 2013-11 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, prospectively, with retrospective application permitted. The Company’s adoption of ASU 2013-11 did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB has made available ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606”. ASU 2014-09 affects any entity using U.S. GAAP that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., insurance contracts or lease contracts). This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU also supersedes some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition—Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts. In addition, the existing requirements for the recognition of a gain or loss on the transfer of nonfinancial assets that are not in a contract with a customer (e.g., assets within the scope of Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, and intangible assets within the scope of Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other) are amended to be consistent with the guidance on recognition and measurement (including the constraint on revenue) in this ASU. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps:
Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer.
Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.
Step 3: Determine the transaction price.
Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.
Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
For a public entity, the amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
F - 12
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
In June 2014, the FASB has issued ASU No. 2014-12, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period”. The issue is the result of a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force. The amendments in the ASU require that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. The performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. The requisite service period ends when the employee can cease rendering service and still be eligible to vest in the award if the performance target is achieved. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier adoption is permitted. The effective date is the same for both public business entities and all other entities. Entities may apply the amendments in this ASU either:
|
(a) prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date; or
|
|
(b) retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter.
|
If retrospective transition is adopted, the cumulative effect of applying this ASU as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements should be recognized as an adjustment to the opening retained earnings balance at that date. In addition, if retrospective transition is adopted, an entity may use hindsight in measuring and recognizing the compensation cost. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-12 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
The Company continually assesses any new accounting pronouncements to determine their applicability to the Company. Where it is determined that a new accounting pronouncement affects the Company’s financial reporting, the Company undertakes a study to determine the consequence of the change to its financial statements and assures that there are proper controls in place to ascertain that the Company’s financials properly reflect the change.
Pervasiveness of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and the differences could be material.
NOTE 2 - CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK AND ECONOMIC DEPENDENCE
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.
The Company has no significant off-balance-sheet concentrations of credit risk such as foreign exchange contracts, options contracts or other foreign hedging arrangements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company at times has cash and cash equivalents with its financial institution in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limits. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions which minimize these risks. As of both December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had no funds in excess of FDIC limits.
F - 13
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 2 - CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK AND ECONOMIC DEPENDENCE (continued)
Accounts Receivable
The Company grants credit to its customers, substantially all of whom are retail establishments located throughout the United States. The Company typically does not require collateral from customers. Credit risk is limited due to the financial strength of the customers comprising the Company’s customer base and their dispersion across different geographical regions. The Company monitors exposure of credit losses and maintains allowances for anticipated losses considered necessary under the circumstances.
Major Customers
The Company had two customers who comprised at least ten percent (10%) of gross revenue during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The loss of these customers would adversely impact the business of the Company. The percentage of gross revenue and the accounts receivable from each of these customers is as follows:
Gross Revenue %
|
Accounts Receivable
|
|||||||||
2014
|
2013
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
Customer A
|
68%
|
62%
|
$
|
1,088,610
|
$
|
6,418,071
|
||||
Customer B
|
24%
|
22%
|
-
|
70,974
|
||||||
92%
|
84%
|
$
|
1,088,610
|
$
|
6,489,045
|
Major Vendors
The Company had one vendor from which it purchased at least ten percent (10%) of merchandise during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The loss of this supplier would adversely impact the business of the Company. The percentage of purchases, and the related accounts payable from this vendor is as follows:
Purchases %
|
Accounts Payable
|
|||||||||
2014
|
2013
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
Vendor A
|
99%
|
93%
|
$
|
462,269
|
$
|
1,320,945
|
NOTE 3 – NOTES PAYABLE
Sterling National Bank
On September 8, 2010, in order to fund increasing Accounts Receivables and support working capital needs, Capstone secured a Financing Agreement from Sterling Capital Funding, (now called Sterling National Bank), located in New York, whereby Capstone receives funds for assigned retailer shipments. The assignments provide funding for an amount up to 85% of net invoices submitted. There will be a base management fee equal to .45% of the gross invoice amount. The interest rate of the loan advance is ¼% above Sterling National Bank’s Base Rate which at time of closing was 5%. The amounts borrowed under this agreement are secured by a right to set-off on or against any of the following (collectively as “Collateral”): all accounts including those at risk, all reserves, instruments, documents, notes, bills and chattel paper, letter of credit rights, commercial tort claims, proceeds of insurance, other forms of obligations owing to Sterling National Bank, bank and other deposit accounts whether or not reposed with affiliates, general intangibles (including without limitation all tax refunds, contract rights, trade names, trademarks, trade secrets, customer lists, software and all other licenses, rights, privileges and franchises), all balances, sums and other property at any time to our credit or in Sterling National Bank’s possession or in the possession of any Sterling Affiliates, together with all merchandise, the sale of which resulted in the creation of accounts receivable and in all such merchandise that may be returned by customers and all books and records relating to any of the foregoing, including the cash and non-cash proceeds of all of the foregoing.
Capstone Companies, Inc., and Howard Ullman, the previous Chairman of the Board of Directors of CHDT, had personally guaranteed Capstone’s obligations under the Financial Agreement. As part of the agreement with Sterling National Bank, a subordination agreement was executed with Howard Ullman, a shareholder and director of the Company at that time.
F - 14
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 3 – NOTES PAYABLE (continued)
These agreements subordinated the debt of $121,263 (plus future interest) and $81,000 (plus future interest) due to Howard Ullman (or his assigns), to the Sterling National Bank loan. No payments will be made on the subordinated debt until the Sterling loan is paid in full. As of December 31, 2013, the balance due to Sterling was $4,237,144. As of December 31, 2014, the loan balance due to Sterling was $286,945
On July 21, 2011, Stewart Wallach, the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Capstone Companies, Inc. and JWTR Holdings, LLC owned by a Director, Jeffrey Postal entered into a Securities and Notes Purchase Agreement with Howard Ullman, the previous Chairman of the Board of CHDT, whereby they would purchase equally all of Howard Ullmans notes including the notes subordinated to Sterling National Bank.
On July 15, 2011, Stewart Wallach individually and accepted by Sterling National Bank, agreed to replace Howard Ullman as the sole personal guarantor to Sterling National Bank for all of Capstone’s loans previously guaranteed by Howard Ullman.
Effective July 12, 2011, Capstone’s credit line with Sterling National Bank was increased from $2,000,000 up to $4,000,000 to provide additional funding for increased revenue growth.
During the period from July 2013 through February 2014, the Company’s credit line with Sterling National Bank was temporarily increased from $4,000,000 up to $6,000,000 to provide additional funding to cover the increased sales volume during the holiday season.
During the period from July 2014 through February 2015, the Company’s credit line with Sterling National Bank was temporarily increased from $4,000,000 up to $7,000,000 to provide additional funding to cover the increased sales volume during the holiday season. As of December 31, 2014, the maximum amount that can be borrowed on this credit line is $7,000,000.
NOTE 4 – NOTES AND LOANS PAYABLE TO RELATED PARTIES
Capstone Companies, Inc. - Notes Payable to Officers and Directors
On May 30, 2007, the Company executed a $575,000 promissory note payable to a director of the Company. This note was amended on July 1, 2009 and again on January 2, 2010. As amended, the note carries an interest rate of 8% per annum. All principal is payable in full, with accrued interest, on January 2, 2014. On November 2, 2007, the Company issued 12,074 shares of its Series B Preferred stock valued at $28,975 as payment towards this loan. The loan grants to the holder a security interest in the accounts receivable of the Company up to the amount of the unpaid Principal. On July 12, 2011, Stewart Wallach, the Chief Executive Officer and Director of CHDT and JWTR Holdings, LLC owned by a Director, Jeffrey Postal entered into a Securities and Notes Purchase Agreement with Howard Ullman, the previous Chairman of the Board of CHDT, whereby they would purchase equally all of Howard Ullman's notes including the subordinated notes net of any offsets, monies due by Howard Ullman to the Company. The original terms of all notes would remain the same. On July 12, 2011, this note payable was reassigned by Howard Ullman, equally split between Stewart Wallach Director and JWTR Holdings LLC. The note balance of $466,886 was reduced by $47,940 for offsets due by Howard Ullman. The revised loan balance of $418,946 was reassigned equally $209,473 to Stewart Wallach and $209,473 to JWTR Holdings LLC. As amended the note is due on or before April 1, 2015. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 the total combined balance due on these two notes was $533,544 and $500,028, respectively, which includes accrued interest of $114,598 and $81,082, respectively.
On July 11, 2008, the Company received a loan from a director in the amount of $250,000. As amended, the note was due on or before April 1, 2014 and carried an interest rate of 8% per annum. As part of this note payable, the Company also issued a warrant to the loan holder to purchase 4,000,000 shares of common stock at a price of $.025 per share. At the date of issuance, the stock price was $.021 per share. The Company accounted for the debt and warrants using APB 14, whereby the proceeds of $250,000 were allocated between the debt and warrants. This resulted in the warrants being valued at $56,375, which was recorded as additional paid-in capital, and a discount on the note of $56,375 being recognized. The discount was amortized over the term of the note (6 months) to interest expense. At December 31, 2008, the discount had been fully amortized resulting in interest expense of $56,375 being recognized. The warrants expired July 10, 2013. At December 31, 2013, the total amount payable on this note was $330,000 including interest of $80,000. This note along with accrued interest was paid in full on April 23, 2014.
F - 15
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 4 – NOTES AND LOANS PAYABLE TO RELATED PARTIES (continued)
On March 11, 2010, the Company received a loan from a director in the amount of $100,000. As amended, the note is due on or before April 1, 2015 and carries an interest rate of 8% per annum. At December 31, 2013, the total amount payable on this note was $130,466 including interest of $30,466. At December 31, 2014, the total amount payable on this note was $138,466 including interest of $38,466.
On May 11, 2010, the Company received a loan from a director in the amount of $75,000. As amended, the note is due on or before April 1, 2015 and carries an interest rate of 8% per annum. The loan grants to the holder a security interest in the accounts receivable of the Company up to the amount of the unpaid Principal. At December 31, 2013, the total amount payable on this note was $96,847 including interest of $21,847. At December 31, 2014, the total amount payable on this note was $102,847 including interest of $27,847.
On June 11, 2010, the Company received a loan from a director in the amount of $150,000. As amended, the note was due on or before April 1, 2014 and carries an interest rate of 8% per annum. The loan granted to the holder a security interest in the accounts receivable of the Company up to the amount of the unpaid principal. At December 31, 2013, the total amount payable on this note was $192,674 including interest of $42,674. This note and interest was paid in full on April 1, 2014.
During the quarter ended June 30, 2008, the Company executed three notes payable for a combined total of $200,000 to an officer of the Company. As amended, the notes were due on or before April 1, 2014 and carried an interest rate of 8% per annum. These loans granted to the holder a security interest in the accounts receivable of the Company up to the amount of the unpaid principal. At December 31, 2013, the total amount due on these notes was $264,000 including interest of $64,000. These notes and interest were paid in full on April 23, 2014.
On January 15, 2013, the Company received a loan in the amount of $250,000 from Stewart Wallach, the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Capstone Companies, Inc. with a due date on or before January 2, 2015.The loan carries an interest rate of 8% per annum. This loan was amended and the due date has been extended until April 1, 2015. This loan grants to the holder a security interest in the accounts receivable of the Company up to the amount of the unpaid principal. At December 31, 2013 the total amount payable on this note was $269,178 including interest of $19.178 .At December 31, 2014, the total amount payable on this note was $289,178 including interest of $39,178.
On January 15, 2013, the Company received a loan in the amount of $250,000 from a director of Capstone Companies, Inc. with a due date on or before January 2, 2015. The loan carries an interest rate of 8% per annum. This loan was amended and the due date has been extended until April 1, 2015. This loan grants to the holder a security interest in the accounts receivable of the Company up to the amount of the unpaid principal. At December 31, 2013, the total amount payable on this note was $269,178 including interest of $19,178. At December 31, 2014, the total amount payable on this note was $ 289,178 including interest of $39,178.
Purchase Order Assignment- Funding Agreements
On June 14, 2014, Capstone Industries, Inc. received a $125,000 loan from George Wolf, a consultant. This loan was due on or before December 31, 2014 and carried an interest rate of 1.0% simple interest per month. The loan was paid in full as of December 31, 2014.
On December 11, 2013, Capstone Industries, Inc. received $620,000 against a note from Jeffrey Postal a director of the Company. The note were due on or before July 2, 2014, and carried an interest rate of 1.0% simple interest per month. As of December 31, 2013, the total amount due under this note was $624,077 including accrued interest of $4,077. This note was paid in full during the first quarter of 2014.
On June 9, 2014, Capstone Industries, Inc. received $825,000 against two notes from Jeffrey Postal. The notes are due on or before December 31, 2014, and carried an interest rate of 1.0% simple interest per month. As of December 31, 2014, these notes were paid in full.
Working Capital Loan Agreements
On April 1, 2012, the Company signed a working capital loan agreement with Postal Capital Funding, LLC, (“PCF”) a private capital funding company owned by Jeffrey Postal and James McClinton, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company may borrow up to a maximum of $1,000,000 of revolving credit from PCF. Amounts borrowed carry an interest rate of
F - 16
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 4 – NOTES AND LOANS PAYABLE TO RELATED PARTIES (continued)
8%. As amended, this loan is due on or before April 1, 2015. As of December 31, 2013, the loan balance under this agreement was $543,626 including interest of $45,626. As of December 31, 2014, the loan balance under this agreement was $583,466 including interest of $85,466.
Notes and Loans Payable to Related Parties – Maturities
The total amount payable to officers, directors and related parties as of December 31, 2014, was $1,936,679 including accrued interest of $344,733. The notes and loan payable to related parties mature during 2015.
NOTE 5 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Operating Leases
On June 29, 2007, the Company relocated its principal executive offices and sole operations facility to 350 Jim Moran Blvd., Suite 120, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442, which is located in Broward County. This space consists of 4,000 square rentable feet and was leased on a month to month basis.
Capstone Industries entered into a new lease agreement for the same office space as currently located. The new lease agreement dated January 17, 2014, and effective February 1, 2014, has a 3 year term with a base annual rent of $87,678 paid in equal monthly installments. The Company has the one time option to renew the lease for three (3) years subject to a 3% increase per each year of the renewal term. Under the new lease agreement, Capstone is responsible for portion of common area maintenance charges and any other utility consumed in the leased premises.
Capstone International Hong Kong Ltd. Entered in a two year lease agreement for office space at 303 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. The agreement is for the period from February 17, 2014, to February 16, 2016. This lease has a base annual rent of $48,000 (HK$ 372,000) paid in equal monthly installments.
Rent expense amounted to $120,704 and $55,871 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The lease obligations under these agreements for the next five years are as follows:
Year Ended December, 31,
|
US
|
HK
|
Total
|
|||||||||
2015
|
$ | 89,150 | 48,000 | $ | 137,150 | |||||||
2016
|
90,710 | 6,000 | 96,710 | |||||||||
2017
|
7,559 | - | 7,559 | |||||||||
Total lease obligation
|
$ | 187,419 | $ | 54,000 | $ | 240,419 |
Employment Agreements
On February 5, 2008, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Stewart Wallach, whereby Mr. Wallach will be paid $225,000 per annum. As part of the agreement, Mr. Wallach will receive a minimum increase of 5% per year. During 2014 and 2013, Mr. Wallach was paid $287,164 and $285,586 under the Employment Agreement. An amount of $40,233 has been accrued and is included in the 2014 and 2013 consolidated balance sheets as part of accounts payable and accrued expenses for deferred wages in 2011.The initial term of the contract began February 5, 2008, and ended on February 5, 2011, but the term of the contract was extended for an additional two years through February 5, 2013. The Company’s Compensation Committee has further extended the agreement with the same terms for an additional three years through February 5, 2016.
On February 5, 2008, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Gerry McClinton. Mr. McClinton will be paid $150,000 per annum. As part of the agreement, Mr. McClinton will receive a minimum increase of 5% per year. During 2014 and 2013, Mr. McClinton was paid $191,442 and $190,398, respectively under the Employment Agreement. An amount of $572 has been accrued and is included in the 2014 and 2013 consolidated balance sheets as part of accounts payable and accrued expenses for deferred wages in 2011. The term of the initial contract began February 5, 2008, and ended February 5, 2011, but the term of the contract was extended for an additional two years through February 5, 2013. The Company’s Compensation Committee has further extended the agreement with the same terms for an additional three years through February 5, 2016.
F - 17
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 6 - STOCK TRANSACTIONS
Series “C” Preferred Stock
On July 9, 2009, the Company authorized and issued 1,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock in exchange for $700,000. The 1,000 shares of Series C Stock are convertible into 67,979,725 common shares. The par value of the Series C Preferred shares is $1.00.
Common Stock
During 2014 the Company entered into a settlement agreement with a consultant under which 3,750,000 shares of previously issued common stock were surrendered and canceled in consideration for a payment to the consultant in the amount of $50,000.
Warrants
The Company had outstanding stock warrants that were issued in prior years to its officers and directors for a total of 5,975,000 shares of the Company's common stock. 1,975,000 of these warrants had an exercise price of $.05 and expired on November 11, 2011. The remaining 4,000,000 warrants had an exercise price of $.03 and expired on July 20, 2014.
The Company issued a stock warrant to each of two former officers of the Company in December 2003 for a total of 35,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Each of the stock warrants entitled each former officer to purchase 10,000 and 25,000 shares, respectively, of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $0.05. These warrants expired July 20, 2014.
During September and October 2007, the Company issued 31,823,529 shares of common stock for cash at $.017 per share, or $541,000 total as part of a Private Placement under Rule 506 of Regulation D. Along with the stock, each investor also received a warrant to purchase 30% of the shares purchased in the Private Placement. A total of 9,547,055 warrants were issued. The warrants are ten year warrants and have an exercise price of $.025 per share.
Options
In 2005, the Company authorized the 2005 Equity Plan that made available 10,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance through awards of options, restricted stock, stock bonuses, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units. On May 20, 2005, the Company granted non-qualified stock options under the company’s 2005 Equity Plan for a maximum of 250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for $0.02 per share. The options expire May 25, 2015, and may be exercised any time after May 25, 2005.
On May 1, 2007, the Company granted 4,000,000 stock options to five employees of the Company under the 2005 Plan. The options vest over two years. During 2008, 1,000,000 of these options were cancelled prior to vesting.
As of December 31, 2010, these options were fully vested and compensation expense fully recognized.
On April 27, 2007, the Company granted a ten-year non-qualified, non-statutory stock option for 102,400,000 “restricted” shares of the Company’s common stock to Stewart Wallach, as incentive compensation. The exercise price of the options is $.029 per share, which was the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. Twenty percent of the options vested on the date of issuance, and twenty percent per year vested on the anniversary date through April 23, 2011. On May 23, 2008, 74,666,667 of these options were cancelled. On July 31, 2009, 5,000,000 of the fully vested options were amended and transferred to Gerry McClinton. Also on April 23, 2007, the Company granted a ten-year non-qualified, non-statutory stock option for 28,100,000 “restricted” shares of the Company’s common stock to Gerry McClinton as incentive compensation. The exercise price of the options is $.029 per share, which was the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. Twenty percent of the options vested on the date of issuance, and twenty percent per year vested on the anniversary date through April 23, 2011. On May 1, 2008, 850,000 of these options were cancelled.
On October 22, 2007, the Company granted 700,000 stock options to a business associate of the Company. The options vested over two years.
On January 10, 2008, the Company granted 1,000,000 stock options to an advisor of the Company. The options vested over one year.
On February 5, 2008, the Company granted 3,650,000 stock options to four directors and one employee of the Company. The options vested over two years.
On May 1, 2008, the Company granted 850,000 stock options to an employee of the Company. The options vested over two years.
On June 8, 2009, the Company granted 4,500,000 stock options to four directors of the Company. The options vested over one year.
F - 18
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 6 - STOCK TRANSACTIONS (continued)
On April 23, 2010, the Company granted 4,500,000 stock options to four directors of the Company and 300,000 stock options to the Company Secretary. The options vested over one year.
On July 1, 2011, the Company granted 4,500,000 stock options to four directors of the Company and 150,000 stock options to the Company Secretary. The options vested over one year.
On August 6, 2012, the Company granted 4,500,000 stock options to four directors of the Company and 150,000 stock options to the Company Secretary. The options vested over one year. The Company Secretary has subsequently left the Company and the 150,000 granted options that have been canceled.
The Binomial Lattice (Suboptimal) option pricing model was used to calculate the fair value of the options granted. The following assumptions were used in the fair value calculations:
Risk free rate – .65 – 1.59%
Expected term – 5 to 10 years
Expected volatility of stock – 500%
Expected dividend yield – 0%
Suboptimal Exercise Behavior Multiple – 2.0
Number of Steps – 150
For the year ended December 31, 2013, $20,250 of compensation expense related to these stock options was recognized.
On January 1, 2014, the Company granted 3,000,000 stock options to two directors of the Company and 150,000 stock options to the Company Secretary. The options vested on August 5, 2014.
The Binomial Lattice (Suboptimal) option pricing model was used to calculate the fair value of the options granted. The following assumptions were used in the fair value calculations:
Risk free rate – 1.72 – 3.0%
Expected term – 5 to 10 years
Expected volatility of stock – 500%
Expected dividend yield – 0%
Suboptimal Exercise Behavior Multiple – 2.0
Number of Steps – 150
For the year ended December, 31 2014, the Company recognized compensation expense of $43,500 related to these stock options. No further compensation expense will be recognized for these options.
F - 19
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 6 - STOCK TRANSACTIONS (continued)
The following table sets forth the Company’s stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and activity for the years then ended:
Weighted
|
||||||||||||||||
Weighted
|
Average
|
|||||||||||||||
Average
|
Remaining
|
Aggregate
|
||||||||||||||
Exercise
|
Contractual
|
Intrinsic
|
||||||||||||||
Shares
|
Price
|
Term (Years)
|
Value
|
|||||||||||||
Outstanding, January 1, 2013
|
74,383,333 | $ | 0.029 | 4.28 | $ | - | ||||||||||
Granted
|
- | 0.029 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Exercised
|
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Forfeited/expired
|
- | 0.029 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31 , 2013
|
74,383,333 | $ | 0.029 | 3.28 | $ | - | ||||||||||
Granted
|
3,150,000 | 0.029 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Exercised
|
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Forfeited/expired
|
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Outstanding, December 31, 2014
|
77,533,333 | $ | 0.029 | 2.36 | $ | - | ||||||||||
Vested/exercisable at December 31, 2013
|
74,383,333 | $ | 0.029 | 3.28 | $ | - | ||||||||||
Vested/exercisable at December 31, 2014
|
77,533,333 | $ | 0.029 | 2.36 | $ | - |
The following table summarizes the information with respect to options granted, outstanding and exercisable under the 2005 plan:
Exercise Price
|
Options Outstanding
|
Remaining Contractual Life in Years
|
Average Exercise Price
|
Number of Options Currently Exercisable
|
$.02
|
250,000
|
.42
|
$.020
|
250,000
|
$.029
|
54,983,333
|
2.33
|
$.029
|
54,983,333
|
$.029
|
2,500,000
|
3.33
|
$.029
|
2,500,000
|
$.029
|
700,000
|
4.33
|
$.029
|
700,000
|
$.029
|
1,000,000
|
2.83
|
$.029
|
1,000,000
|
$.029
|
150,000
|
3.08
|
$.029
|
150,000
|
$.029
|
850,000
|
4.42
|
$.029
|
850,000
|
$.029
|
4,500,000
|
.33
|
$.029
|
4,500,000
|
$.029
|
300,000
|
5.33
|
$.029
|
300,000
|
$.029
|
4,500,000
|
1.50
|
$.029
|
4,500,000
|
$.029
|
150,000
|
6.50
|
$.029
|
150,000
|
$.029
|
4,500,000
|
2.58
|
$.029
|
4,500,000
|
$.029
|
3,000,000
|
4.00
|
$.029
|
3,000,000
|
$.029
|
150,000
|
9.00
|
$.029
|
150,000
|
NOTE 7 - INCOME TAXES
As of December 31, 2014, the Company had a net operating loss carry forward for income tax reporting purposes of approximately $3,962,000 that may be offset against future taxable income through 2033. Current tax laws limit the amount of loss available to be offset against future taxable income when a substantial change in ownership occurs. Therefore, the amount available to offset future taxable income may be limited. No tax benefit has been reported in the financial statements, because the Company believes there is a 50% or greater chance the carry forwards will expire unused. Accordingly, the potential tax benefits of the loss carryforwards are offset by a valuation allowance of the same amount.
F - 20
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 7 - INCOME TAXES (continued)
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
Net Operating Losses
|
$ | 1,347,000 | $ | 1,292,000 | ||||
Valuation Allowance
|
(1,347,000 | ) | (1,292,000 | ) | ||||
$ | - | $ | - |
The provision for income taxes differ from the amount computed using the federal US statutory income tax rate as follows:
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
Provision (Benefit) at US Statutory Rate
|
$ | (149,000 | ) | $ | 247,000 | |||
State Income Tax
|
- | - | ||||||
Depreciation and Amortization
|
(33,000 | ) | (41,000 | ) | ||||
Accrued Sales Allowance
|
67,000 | - | ||||||
Non-Deductible Stock Based Compensation
|
15,000 | 7,000 | ||||||
Other Differences
|
45,000 | 59,000 | ||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Valuation Allowance
|
55,000 | (272,000 | ) | |||||
Income Tax Provision (Benefit)
|
$ | - | $ | - |
The Company evaluates its valuation allowance requirements based on projected future operations. When circumstances change and cause a change in management’s judgment about the recoverability of deferred tax assets, the impact of the change on the valuation is reflected in current income.
The Company is currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service and the Florida Department of Revenue for the years ending December 31, 2011 through 2013. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income taxes in income tax expense. The Company had incurred no penalties and interest for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
NOTE 8 – OTHER ASSETS
Other assets at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consists of the following:
2014
|
2013
|
Life in
Years
|
||||||||||
Packaging Artwork and Design
|
$ | 43,587 | 299,404 | 2 | ||||||||
Less: Accumulated Amortization
|
(43,587 | ) | (279,740 | ) | ||||||||
$ | - | 19,664 |
Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $19,664 and $31,588, respectively.
F - 21
CAPSTONE COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 9 – COST METHOD INVESTMENTS
On January 15, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with AC Kinetics, Inc. to purchase 100 shares of AC Kinetics Series A Preferred Stock for $500,000. These shares carry a liquidation preference in the amount of $500,000, are convertible at the companies demand into 3% of the outstanding shares of AC Kinetics common stock and have anti-dilution protection.
In addition, the Company and AC Kinetics have agreed to cooperate in the development and commercialization of consumer and industrial products to be solely owned by the Company. AC Kinetics will be the Company’s advanced product developer. AC Kinetics will notify the appropriate technology departments at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) of the Company’s ability and desire to commercialize consumer and industrial products developed in the MIT incubator departments.
The Company and AC Kinetics also entered into a royalty agreement whereby, the Company will receive a 7% Royalty on any licensing revenues received by AC Kinetics for products sold by them. This royalty agreement will terminate upon receipt by the Company of royalties of $500,000.
The aggregate carrying amount of cost method investments at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||
AC Kinetics Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
|
$ | 500,000 | $ | 500,000 |
It was not practicable to estimate fair value of AC Kinetics Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and such an estimate was not made because, during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no events or changes in circumstances that could have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of such investments.
F - 22